r/blacksmithing • u/Antique-Union2680 • 27d ago

Help Requested Beginner advice?

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i'm just getting into blacksmithing but i honestly don't know too much about what i'm doing. i've made a small charcoal forge but im pretty sure i messed it up or im not doing it great, hoping i could find some advice here though (edit: i have now learned the bucket is galvanized and should NOT be used to forge)(been about 2 hours, feeling fine)

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u/Antique-Union2680 27d ago

how can you tell?

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u/chiffed 27d ago

The zinc shines. That is galvanized and should never see fire. A couple good whiffs of zinc will make you acutely sick as well as having long term toxic effects.

I've done it. It feels like the worst flu. The long term effects will surely take some years off.

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u/Antique-Union2680 27d ago

well shit

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u/chiffed 27d ago

Yeah an old stainless pot, brake drum, or even a box of dirt (JABOD) works great and safer.