Building An Ancient Tech Forge For My Workshop

[@danielkover7157]

That connection you feel with people in the past isn't silly. That's why I love history and why I'd like to get into ancient craftsmanship, too. 😊

[@_cul8r_]

No jokes or puns about “shells” in an ammo can is a missed opportunity hahaha. Great video!! Thanks!

[@fraserbuilds]

I cant believe I hadnt thought of that😂

[@shaynecarter-murray3127]

The japanese style handsaws really were a game changer for my woodworking experience. So much easier for me that western saws. Western saws have their place but pull cut saws just feel better to me

[@Alphamez]

Thank you! This is hands down the most awesome, wholesome, and informing video I have seen in ages. So much knowledge packed in there amongst the hard work and love of creating. LOVE THIS FORMAT! Please keep it coming!

[@fraserbuilds]

thank you!

[@McClainJ]

Probably a little late now, but there is an inherent mismatch between the exhaling power of a human, and the inertia of air. You can get significantly more airflow by cutting short slots in your pipe near the middle, The air going through the pipe will have built up lateral speed (presuming the tube has a small enough diameter), which reduces its pressure and draws in air through the slots that will equalize the pressure, and will increase flow-mass significantly. It will also allow you to breath slower, but at a higher pressure, which should reduce how fast you get light-headed.

[@nicholasbell1164]

Dude wood tongs i never would have thought! Very cool!

[@Marialla.]

Watching you go through the process of figuring out how to make things work from scratch is so fun! I went through a similar process (not as complex, for sure) when I taught myself how to hand-sew years ago, with no instruction other than the knowledge that children as young as four were handed a needle and thread and told to sew patchwork or doll clothing, and experienced tailors could create elaborate court gowns for Queen Elizabeth the First all by hand. So I knew a modern machine wasn't necessary to sew with, though I didn't know yet how anyone ever accomplished the old techniques. But through trial and error I developed or stumbled upon many skills and techniques of my own, which were often confirmed when I discovered a larger hand-sewing community on KZbin and also channels all about historical sewing. All this to say it isn't the sewing, in particular, that I find so fascinating. It is the process of discovery and testing in practical circumstances. Problem solving through historical inspiration. Deducing answers based on scant clues and defacto examples, rather than necessarily having the benefit of skilled teachers who can just show you the right answers easily. When ancient skills basically go extinct it is a fascinating practice to try to rediscover that wisdom. I'm all in for it!

[@uxb1112]

I should like to commend your enthusiasm and willingness to both learn and improve. Well done. It is always wonderful to watch someone being genuinely excited about their subject and you should be encouraged. You would not believe how many times I have been censured for "encouraging the kids"

[@galewollenberg786]

I'm a retired tool and die maker and I'm impressed. You might look up the bow lathes of Marakesch. I built mine along the same lines and they are an impressive little tool.

[@fraserbuilds]

Thank you! Ill look into them.

[@Shaboynga]

Love when I get gem channel suggestions from a fellow pot geek. I had seen Andy but not potted history. So thanks!

[@Visigoth_]

21:05 Coppicing &/or Pollarding are also a great way to manage Trees as a resource (when cutting down a tree... so cutting down tress can still be "nature friendly"/ sustainable). 🤔

[@josephdorey8458]

As and when health allows, im a professional blacksmith with a passion for experimental archaeology, so this video was fantastic for me! Re getting more heat - ive often found that simply increasing the mass of the fire (i.e. bigger mound of charcoal) is a pretty effective way to get that. Its a natural thermal insulator which also really helps and the larger thermal mass means you'll have a more stable central temp too

[@fraserbuilds]

Thats a great suggestion! the murals do seem to depict a large pile of coals

[@josephdorey8458]

@@fraserbuilds have you done any more with this forge recently? I'd love to see more on it and would be happy to help out with any advice/info I can

[@garethbaus5471]

I started out blowing on a fire through a pipe for my first forge. It really does make you lightheaded.

[@hootiebubbabuddhabelly]

REALLY enjoyed your video. Just right detail shown, just right narration, fascinating subject - thank you for sharing!

[@mattl3729]

This was such a great video- I love seeing the whole process and your descriptions are perfect. I'm SO glad the algorithm suggested your channel John. I've done a good deal of quite successful Egyptian faience myself (shabti mainly), so if you get to the point you want to try it, I'd be glad to let you know how I do it. But I've used a modern electric kiln- if you do it in an more historical type, it should be even cooler :D

[@fraserbuilds]

Ive been experimenting with faience but havent had any success yet! any advice would be greatly appreciated. if youd like feel free to email me at the channels inbox fraserbuilds@gmail

[@denisewall9516]

Thank you for your videos. You have helped me make soooo many fun things.

[@Srab23]

The oak plank you made was very beautiful

[@aolster3198]

My parents were potters. This adds huge insight. I saw your third vid on wild clay. As I garden and live where soil is heavy clay, decades ago I dug wild clay from my yard for my parents to experiment with. We used normal cleaning meyhods. Your alchemical techniques would have been useful. (They belonged to a group that did annual pit firings on a stretch of private ocean beach and they made raku pieces.)

[@uxb1112]

I did have a thought about your pipe though, if you were to fill the void in the wooden tube with clay and then push a thin hole through it, the velocity of exhaled breath would be increased and then by adding a small nozzle an extremely forceful wind might be produced.

[@manowode6286]

Amazing work and research you have done! Great effort. Well done!

[@fraserbuilds]

Thank you!

[@Max-ek4dn]

I have to say im really impressed by your "minimalist" aproach, you use so few recources!! From the small open kiln as well as a small amount of charcoal. Im aware it also takes less work to produce less, but it still baffels me how well it works

[@jebyron3]

What a journey! Your discovery of the nozzle effect reminded me of a similar scene in “Rocket Boys”. Amazing that an aerodynamic system with greater drag/energy loss through flow constriction, can produce more momentum in the flow-stream and end up stoking the fire (or thrusting the rocket) more effectively… An interesting paradox!

[@fraserbuilds]

its really so counter intuitive! but theres no denying the difference it makes 😅

[@NathanNostaw]

Just found all your videos. Just keep doing exactly what you are doing. Great content, good visual and interesting. Cheers.

[@copper4422]

im currently binging all your videos; your skillset is just remarkable! a true renaissance man

[@austinwyman2163]

I cant wait to binge watch all your videos to catch up and loom foward to your new uploads!

[@adreabrooks11]

That brick space-restricter is rather brilliant! They seem like a great way to keep the fuel contained and to help direct the heat,

[@PatrickMatherne]

Have you tried using that brass tube you use with the blow lamp on the forge to see how well it works. I do a lot of camping and was thinking of getting something similar to help get the fires going., Great series. can not wait to see more. Best part for me is watching you make your tools from scratch.

[@noemarit1805]

Man this is absolutely awesome. The explanations and storytelling are over the top, your research for ancient crafting techniques looks very implicate, the filming is on point and so clear, and the elocution is perfect . You are a very skilled man ! Thank you for sharing !!

[@fraserbuilds]

Thank you!

[@bradsprojectsandstuff]

Don't know what I just watched. But I liked it LOL! Nice work FB.

[@thekaratekid02]

Definitely would like to see that follow up video on purifying clay

[@fraserbuilds]

awesome cause im already filming it! ;) thanks for the interest!

[@chiaraoneill2050]

Agreed!!

[@elbowomar2430]

Dude I just started watching this and subscribed ancient blow torch and know ancient forge's I had no idea thank you for these wonderful information.

[@NateSchoonoversAdventures]

I'm gonna go "alter the context of the universe" right now. Bahahaha! great job! Love all the videos so far! Thank you for sharing.

[@TrailBlazer5280]

Wow man this video is super interesting. Shout out to Andy Ward! I have to say your research is very well done, reminds me of my archeology classes in college. Its so cool to see the source material in these wall paintings and mural. I just cant believe the Romans had a wood plane exactly like ours! Well, more like the Japanese style plane from the looks of it. incredible.

[@DarrenMalin]

enjoyable and informative , thank you Sir :)

[@verenauhle7274]

Congrats for your searchings and findings! Great way to transfer knowledge into teaching, probably the best. Just one little thought: As for maintaining the heat in the charcoal, I think that more than one, probably 3 people blew in a 3 phase pattern, just like " modern" blacksmiths use helpers to hammer big pieces of steel one hammer cannot forge.

[@fraserbuilds]

Thank you! I think youre right, it would make perfect sense to have multiple blow pipes at once, especially with harder tasks like melting copper for casting.

[@eaudesolero5631]

hey dude seriously good job and keep going. you are very lucky right now to have the space and place and time and resources to be able to do this. trust me right now I wish I had land and space of my own so that I could build and grow and hunt and fish and supply myself with everything that I need instead of having to work at a job. not sure if you've already found the primitive skills KZbin channel it's a guy and Southeast Asia somewhere who started from nothing and made everything literally from scratch. his metallurgy and the primitive way is phenomenal and he created a forge bellows that blows on both the in and out phases.

[@Max-ek4dn]

I hate to be a voice of negativity, but his metallurgy is propably fake. Im not saying he is completely fake, but his setup would maybe allow for a pretty crude bloom, not perfect iron

[@pkwork]

Wow, just wow!!

[@evawsee8327]

I am very happy to see someone on yt doing what you do. I myself am very interested in old crafting techniques and when I saw your waxtablet I thought I needed to subscribe immediately. I love to see your content - thank you for sharing this.

[@FaithyJo]

Just found your channel. Love your content, keep it up!

[@fraserbuilds]

Thank you!

[@Flummizurush]

Great Videos!! Amazing Topics and great Narration!! What I saw when You were using your Saw, that You have a Pull-Saw but were giving it at least equal Force in Pushing and Pulling. If You haven't figured it out yet and want to imptove, try letting the Blade slide through the Gap with barely touching the bottom Wood while pushing and only using your Strength while pulling. That should be Way less tiring :)

[@fraserbuilds]

Thanks! will do, I seriously appreciate the advice :)

[@SergeGilette]

Great videos ! I have two topics i'm interested into and it could be perhaps a topic for some your future videos. 1- did you try to make with clay a sharpening stone or a sharpening water wheel ? 2- did you try to build a clay only furnace that could melt bronze ?

[@pauljarine]

Thank you for making these videos. Please do make the clay refining video. Thank you.

[@Grundlesweeper6069]

Pine or most softer cleaner woods produce more heat. I used walnut and oak and they never burned as hot or as fast as pine or birch did. Softer woods don’t last as long however.

[@Visigoth_]

Cool Chanel... I'll be looking out for some more fun content! - Is it just me, or does it sound like he's saying "Ferg" instead of "Forge," what's up with that? It also sounds like he says "ferming planks," instead of "forming planks," is that a local-accent/ dialect I'm not aware of, or what...? 🤔

[@benb405]

Kinda sounds like a Maryland accent

[@andrewlast1535]

I feel like I added a few wrinkles to the 🧠 watching this. Love your content.

[@r.e.m2676]

Great videos my friend. You are well suited for giving us knowledge of the post. What resources are you using to learn about faradays instruments?

[@vysakhak191]

I really liked your videos! I increased your sub count from 445 to 451. cheers!!

[@fraserbuilds]

cheers! seriously appreciated!

[@1-eye-willy]

i have that "rock and roller" work table. you should get a sturdier one or reinforce the one you have, i got a new one and its nice wrking on a sturdier surface

[@valentinorubio703]

A blowing pipe is enough for certain applications but you'll need to make some bellows or a blower to get higher temperatures...

[@jerbear7952]

You beat me to the circular breathing :)

[@jerbear7952]

Practice circular breathing with a drinking straw and a glass of water

[@robmarshallofficial]

I’m only ½ way through your video and finding it very interesting. Could I suggest to help you with the carpentry work, you look at making a shaving horse and buy a drawknife as this will help you a lot more than using some of the tools you currently use. I’d also recommend you also look at a couple of books by “Walter Ben Hunt” 1888-1979 his knowledge is incredible and his books are very very informative. I can’t for the life of me remember the name of the books I’m thinking of, however he explains what they are and used for. I would also suggest learning about bushcraft shills and bowl carving etc which would hone your skills when making tools. Regarding the copper you place on the handle of your tool (you could also use twine or leather which would be more available than copper and a cheaper alternative, however when using copper, it not only needs to be tight, but closely wound together as it’s both of these which would help the wood from splitting. I can’t remember the name of it but this technique goes back thousands of years. I’ll finish watching the remainder of the video now. Thank you for sharing the video with us, please keep making them

[@holgermarklund8491]

I really like your videos! And I think you would like Rex Kreuger's channel for inspiration on woodworking. Especially the videos on low roman workbenches.

[@fraserbuilds]

thanks! after reading this I subbed to his channel! really helpful stuff, might just have to give the low bench a try!

[@MilesProwerTailsFox]

I got the coal so hot with one of these it just melted aluminum like butter, literally like if i just shoved butter into that thing

[@hedgehog3180]

Using manure instead of wood makes sense since wood is such a versetile material and isn't always found in abundance. That said manure can also be used in pottery to create self cooling pots.

[@kingmenelaus7083]

Very recent sub here, but I'm definitely a big fan already. I'm just this side of starting my forge, so, wish me luck

[@fraserbuilds]

good luck! thanks for the sub!

[@geoffgeoff143]

I wonder what the max temperature acheivable from charcoal is? Would wood gas get hotter?

[@darthex0]

They still use blowing pipes in india. You don't blow into it like a didjeridoo. You blow across the mouth end like blowing across the top of a glass. There is a sweet spot where the angle of blowing across the edge is telescoped and magnified at the other end.

[@spacejihadist4246]

That drawn guy on the tomb wall was just smoking pot while grilling corn.

[@sidjoosin6549]

pipe should be smaller and try cover one end fully and then make one small round hole 1mm radius, and then fire it. coal can be completely white and actually in this state can create it's own flame, white in color, unlike any other type

[@fraserbuilds]

interesting! ill give that a shot

[@PsychoEkan]

Manure has been used through time for countless things, from coating baskets to houses. As a modern human i find the thought quite repulsive but i feel like people in the far future will probably feel the same way about many of our customs today

[@MemberRoach]

The more I'm looking at this ancient mural, the more questions I have. Like, why are they making Djed pillars? Is this some kind of bobble-making business, or a gift shop supplier?

[@samuelbarber5097]

I just manage to circle breathe first try lol, btw you can use your your tongue to push out air instead, until you figure out the cheek way.

[@Iraqi1995-3]

Hello how is my friend ❤I am very surprised in this channel you can look for making a crucible that can withstand 2000 degrees of heat and thank you

[@fraserbuilds]

i'm planning on making some high temperature crucibles at some point in the future! it will take a little time to experiment with though!

[@manekou3303]

I feel like a pickaxe would have been helpful in digging the clay.

[@thomasvnl]

It probably would have

[@perkeles23dobre59]

I think when regarding blowing a technique consosting of completely peolpe.... 2-3 rotating is a good way to always have air and not get fatigued And keep temp high ,,,, I assume this since a blacksmits usaly have assistannts in these olden more social times

[@captchagod64]

Thats a pretty nice ferge there

[@RunningTree]

25:50 three quarters of an hour in, and it seemed like I was blowing more than I was breathing, and I was getting nowhere for it

[@Iraqi1995-3]

Please give me all the names of the book in the science of the old and thank you 🌹

[@jldwolfe]

I have to ask. Why do you say “ER” instead of “OR”? Example “fERge” instead of “fORge”

[@holemajora598]

Haha take this as a compliment, but are you a writing student because it sounds like you’re having way too much fun riding the script I 18 minutes in and the last couple of minutes definitely would make an English teacher proud haha

[@fraserbuilds]

I might have gotten a little carried away with the script at points😂 This one was my first attempt at scripting a video, looking back I have no idea what i was thinking, but it was an interesting, if slightly unhinged, experience😅

[@Dr_Wrong]

Brazier? Isn't that something about wimmin?

[@brittanymwancientlight]

Enjoy ur vidvos.

[@punkinhaidmartin]

Hickory nuts are even more dense than black walnuts.

[@jeffreydustin5303]

You might find the primitive technology channel of interest.

[@douglasgrant2190]

Please tell me you are aware of the SCA.

[@MrXeCute]

Egypt was and is not a source of wood. Oak, was not widely availlable. More likely they used Libanon Ceder (as alsoo mentioned in the bible for building the first Temple). ;-)

[@yewrforstnaymhearyewrlayst5566]

1:40 you need to get yourself a pic-axe for that

[@gabrielbennett5162]

I'd build a box bellows if it was me.

[@ravensnflies8167]

the most egregious thing ive seen on your channel vids is the fact that you dont have a million subs. this should change.

[@yewrforstnaymhearyewrlayst5566]

what is that accent or dialect i hear, mostly with words like orange or more?

[@isabutchers5591]

i cant figure out what that accent is. "ferge", "stery" 0:13

[@lucazsy]

At 12:50 we can see a rare footage of Harry Potter trying to build a Nimbus 2000.

[@shannonalaminski2619]

😅 the old ammo can is once again carrying shells.

[@blueguitar4419]

“Hist-urr-ical examples of firges” Where does this accent come from?

[@drivernephi2115]

Nope nope nope nah uh. Faradays reference to blowtorches refers to an altogether different technology based around oil lamps with large 1 inch wicks. The wicks are set alight and draw in fresh oil from the reservoir using capillary action. The flame is then blow on with a very thin blow pipe to create a condensed, oxygen rich flame. Nothing to do with charcoal or the erstwhile forges of millenia past

[@drivernephi2115]

Oh wait. This was two years ago, and you're the same person that taught me that LMFAO

[@thedeadwookie25]

farge

[@henryravita5308]

Bro watched Dr. Stone

[@fastbike175]

I'd give you a like if you could learn how to pronounce fordge and form.

[@DerKaiser7485]

It's pronounced forge not furge

[@douglasgrant2190]

I'm led to believe he has a speech impediment.

[@kayakMike1000]

Your clay is really red.

[@Cra-b]

why tf there are so many dislikes

[@Shitballs69420]

He keeps saying "ferge"

[@Wyi-the-rogue]

How u see dislikes

[@Cra-b]

@@Wyi-the-rogue there is an extension for it

[@fastbike175]

how are you going to go through all this effort and not know how to pronounce the name of what your building

[@fraserbuilds]

my strange pronunciation is just due to a speech impediment on "or" sounds

[@edwardphillips8460]

You really, really, need to work on your pronunciations.

[@fraserbuilds]

I've had many years of speech therapy to correct my speech impediment, what you hear is just the remants of it. its not going away.

[@edwardphillips8460]

@@fraserbuilds I admit I, jumped to commenting before finishing your video. (Just now finished), but if anything it got worse. Keep working at it. Your video has value to be sure. Sadly your pronunciation of ur, or, ir, er, detracts substantially from the overall product. I still hit the like button despite that.