I like being able to see at least the middle of the forge when standing at a neutral position an appropriate distance (imagine you're grabbing a piece out with your tongs) away. I can step back a bit to see more if I'm needing to closely watch a thin tip on the far side of the forge or something, but most of the time I'm just standing there wishing I had comfier shoes. That puts it right at or slightly above belly button height for me. Some people with longer/shorter forges or ones with different sized openings might be different. But since you're not doing a ton of work at the forge, mostly just letting it heat up so you can do work at the anvil, the main concern is eyesight. Hunching over to squint in there and judge color wears on your back eventually. 

Obviously don't put the hot thing against things that catch on fire. Away from any wooden walls, and ideally still with some ventilation. Past that, making sure your hose is long enough to get to your propane tanks without straining it (whether you keep those vertical or horizontal can be its own debate) and making sure your forge isn't too far away from where you'll be working the metal is the next concerns. Some people like being able to turn just 90 degrees and hit the anvil, but I like 180 because then the forge keeps my back warm in winter. But you don't want to take more than a solid step away from the main places you'll take your steel. If you google something like 'blacksmith shop layout' you should get a few good examples of that and work out a plan for the space you have. 

Gregory Cumbee,

This type of question is the one I have taken the most criticism for. "What is the perfect___" or "What is the best overal____". The answer most of the more senior people give is going to come along the lines of: "Well, it depends.....". So I am going to give you a blended answer, but take it with the grain of salt that it comes down to a mix of general best practice and your given situation. What I recommend is either watching as many shop tour videos as you can get your hands on, or tour as many senior smiths' forges as you can, and glean that expertise.

"My" Short answer is: between mid waist and shoulder height or an average of 36-50". The conditions of what I based my answer on are:

- Height of ceiling so I don't wheel a still hot forge into a garage and burn it down.

- My back with two crushed discs

- ergonomically value of taking a heavy hot piece of material out of the forge without scratching the walls

- Room in the shop (battling the question of maxing out your usable shop space. Do you want to create storage space for tools under or on the forge stand/cart)

- watching my material at quick glances without having to stare into it all the time (burning out eyes)

- Stability of the operation at height

- matching the fuel intake to height of 100lbs propane tank

- considering the average ladder height: (using alternative support systems for longer and heavier pieces sticking out of the forge)

- Dollar value of materials into the forge

 

Senior folks Shop Tours:

Ed Caffrey Shop Tour: https://youtu.be/XoiFiLER_wc?si=9_VOh5SjVvVraJrc

Lin Rhea Gas Forge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt77Mut5l84&t=314s

Kevin Cashen Destination Michigan: https://youtu.be/42j2kF7ZHWo?si=EQhwpDMKRJrhLmlx

Karl Anderson Forge System: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8T8F_QHnDk

Essential Craftsman XXL Blacksmith Forge: https://youtu.be/xah47JDQKP8?si=tANhZeWUc5cM1WPh

 

 

Bobby and Michael~

Thank you both for your insightful and practical advice. Here is a summary of the key points, organized by topic for future reference:

Safety Considerations:
• Fire: Ensure the stand is positioned away from any flammable materials to prevent accidental fires.

• Ventilation: Proper ventilation is essential to manage smoke and fumes effectively.

• Propane Tank Accessibility: Ensure the hose from the tank to the forge is long enough without being stretched or kinked, which could be a safety hazard.

Efficiency and Workflow:
• Ergonomics: A height that minimizes bending over or stretching to view the forge’s interior is crucial to reduce physical strain.

• Workbench Integration: Consider how the heights of the forge stand and workbench will interact to facilitate a smooth workflow.

• Material Handling: The height should allow for comfortable manipulation of hot metal without excessive exertion or risk of injury.

• Shop Layout: Plan the forge’s location to minimize unnecessary movement within the workspace.

Biomechanics:
• Ceiling Height: Ensure there is enough headroom above the forge stand to prevent accidental fires or damage from heat.

• Storage: Consider how the height will affect the use of space under or around the stand for tool storage.

• Stability: The stand must be stable at height, especially when dealing with heavy pieces of metal.

• Eye Health: A height that allows for glances at your material without prolonged staring into the forge can reduce eye strain.

Additional Considerations:
• While not directly mentioned, the use of production tables in other industries has shown benefits in reducing trunk motion, which could be analogous to the benefits of a well-positioned forge.

• Visiting or watching videos of other experienced blacksmiths’ setups can provide valuable insights tailored to your situation.

 

Greg Cumbee

Winchester, VA

 Gregory Cumbee,

Good Summary. One thing I have found has been a crucially smart addition to my shop has been Concrete board or Wonder board from Home Depo. In areas of my shop where heat or sparks gather I used the concrete boards with electrical conduit spacers I cut in my chop saw from the original walls. I then covered the screw and washer faces with furnace cement you can get premade in a little spackle type jar at the hardware store. It is probably overkill, but I have been warned by a few MS about preventing burning your shop down. Something about it being a bad day if it happens or something.....