|
This will be a pretty neat addition once finished. This is based on early
Anglo-saxon designs for high output smelters. Mine is going to be a copy of the one built at Rivault abby
during the English heritage days. I have roughly 2000 lbs of pure iron oxide powder to start with.
Once this is gone, I'll switch to good ol' Texas siderite. Charcoal will be the limiting commodity.
Anytime I here of someone doing some clearing, I load up the cut hardwood and start smoke'n it down into
charcoal. Construction I will be using clay from our property and elm branches for the majority of the structure. We have a natural white clay layer here at about 3' down. This is pure grey/white smooth clay and should work well. The only problem is it's 3' down through aggregate and black/red gumbo muck. Luckily, I've found several spots where the clay is almost at surface level due to erosion and septic installation! It is being built inside a semi-open structure to protect it from rain and such. Hopefully, I'll be able to fire it a few dozen times with only interior clay patches being needed. I'm hoping to get the archaeology group from Texas A&M interested. I was contacted once concerning some joint ventures, but haven't heard back. If anyone is interested assisting with building and operating this, feel free to shoot me an email. The goal is 20+lb iron blooms. from here I can separate out the different grades and pound them into bars. I plan on using most for Viking/Saxon long blades with pattern welded core sections. Other uses would be in Japanese blades. Folding it continuously (and possibly carburizing it as well if needed)to remove the impurities and produce high quality steel. Status The outer structure is half-done, but won't take but an hour or two to finish. Too many other projects have come up..not to mention a trip to New York! I hope to have the base done this weekend. Then comes the task of digging the clay! We will have rain all week long which will make the ground soft enough to dig this weekend. Not easy by any means...just soft enough to be doable. As usual, pics will be posted as they become available! |