Michigan Atlatl Journal » Primitive Steel Making
37 Comments- Add comment | Back to Michigan Atlatl Association Written on 13-Sep-2008 by CanrangerPrimitive Steel Making
I am interested in organizing a weekend steel making event. I have been studying the process and would like to construct a roman oven and make a bloom of steel. To do this I would need some help because it is too physically demanding for one person to do, by themselves. The end result will be steel that I will make a blade(s) from. The event would start on a Friday night with the construction of the oven. As a group we will build the furnace and I will explain what I have learned about the function of each part of the furnace as we go along. At the same time we will have to prepare the fuel and raw materials.
Saturday we will fire up the furnace and begin the smelting process, ending with the plume being extracted Saturday night.
Here is a list of things needed and I would appreciate any help sourcing some of these things.
As well if anyone would like to chip into the event by donating anything in part or something to help out that would be appreciated as well.
A place to hold it state side (it is easier for me to go there rather then bring everyone here.)
Clay about 150lbs
Iron ore 80lbs
Charcoal 160lbs or 12 13lb bags as can be bought in the hardware store.
I think this would be a neat experiment and learning experience as well as a great social gathering for everyone. We would make a day of it and because the furnace has to be tended we would be eating lunch and dinner together. So it would be possible to have other things going one while we all took turns tending the furnace.
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written on 13-Sep-2008
TwoOtters says:
Can you send me a picture or post one of this furnace and a description of what amount of smoke this process will give off.
Phil__13__(@16x16C).jpg)
written on 14-Sep-2008
SuePufpaff [http://fibermill.yurtboutique.com] says:
I have a place to host. The furnace could be build out in one of the pastures that is not currently in use and the upstairs of my mill is large enough for gathering and doing meals and other activities out of the elements. There is space to set up tents and if anyone has an RV, they can also be accomodated. The mill even has a shower for those so enclined. I would love to watch the process happen and assist where I could.
I'm not hard to get to and there is a map on my website for those that might wonder.
http://fibermill.yurtboutique.com(@16x16C).jpg)
written on 14-Sep-2008
hovaterdan says:
Sounds like some fun to me.
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written on 14-Sep-2008
Canranger says:
Great Sue, well one of the items is taken care of we just need to put a couple of other things together.
The clay can be ordinary clay so a gravel yard that keeps it for construction would have enough.__265__(@16x16C).jpg)
written on 14-Sep-2008
Mitzi_Lee says:
This sounds like fun. I would love to attend - especially at Sue's. Abe - are you looking to do this soon?
written on 14-Sep-2008
TwoOtters says:
Hi Sue. Count us in. How Exciting we get to go to Sue’s and make steel too.
Philwritten on 14-Sep-2008
Canranger says:
Well soon is a relative term it all depends how quick we can get everything together and when it is best for Sue.
written on 14-Sep-2008
TwoOtters says:
Abe. Other than going to the old Champion mine for Hematite Ore. Do you no off a closer source for it?
I have about 20 pounds I can contribute.written on 15-Sep-2008
Canranger says:
Phil I know of no other source except for a ceramic supply shop to get Iron oxide. Where is the old chapion mine? I am searching the net to see if I can't buy some some place.
written on 15-Sep-2008
TwoOtters says:
It’s in da Keweenaw Peninsula in da UP. About $234.00 away for me. But the ore is just laying around on da ground. Ya know what I’m sayin a.
written on 15-Sep-2008
Canranger says:
Hmmm need to find a way up there. Or someone we know and pay them to mail it to us.
written on 15-Sep-2008
SuePufpaff [http://fibermill.yurtboutique.com] says:
Does this have to be done before the weather gets too cold?
First or third weekend of October I have open or it has to go into December.
November is booked.written on 16-Sep-2008
Canranger says:
MOst likely we are looking precold weather pre rainy season any water wil ruin the processes. This might be a long term planning thing. I am hoping to get some ore shipped to me from Wawa.
written on 20-Sep-2008
Canranger says:
Well another possible source for Iron Ore would be to use Iron oxide of some sort. The best places to find that are in pottery supply stores.
written on 22-Sep-2008
SuePufpaff [http://fibermill.yurtboutique.com] says:
I have a sheep shearing day on Saturday, April 4th.
If you would like to combine a knife making event with a shearing day and have the option of seeing the fiber come directly from the sheep, we can work on a plan for that weekend. The shearing will only be on Saturday so it would not be in conflict with the consturction of the furnance and if I read the smelting process correctly, there is a lot of waiting time, and the shearing is great entertainment. Then on Sunday, anyone that wants to try felting on my felting machine can do that while some of the knife work is finished. The weather is usually good for my shearing days so it should be good for the knives. Scheduling for April should give everyone enough time to find all the needed stuff and open up their schedules.__5__(@16x16C).jpg)
written on 22-Sep-2008
Dalerj says:
Abe, This sounds like fun. I have 2 bags of charcoal to donate . Will you need lime stone and silica for flux?
I worked at several steel mills in the Det. area over the years. Does anyone have a contact at Rouge steel? Perhaps FoMo co would donate to an educational project like this? They wouldn't miss that much taconite if it could be arranged. Just a thought. Dalewritten on 22-Sep-2008
TwoOtters says:
Hi Sue. Put Diane and myself down for sheep shearing day.
written on 22-Sep-2008
TwoOtters says:
Abe. A question. If you are using clay for the furnace, how will you dry it to fire it up by Saturday morning? What time will you be starting on the Friday?
written on 22-Sep-2008
Canranger says:
WellI would like to pre build the furnace in parts prior to Friday and make the connections there. If no one minds I can simply use brick and refractory cement on site Friday and it will cure in 2 hours but it would be post primitive that way. Sue April sounds good to me I will have to remember to keep my shirt on during the shearing just in case people get carried away.
Would it be possible to build part of the furnace on site during October?written on 22-Sep-2008
Canranger says:
Dale we will be making a cruid version of steel call Tamahagane just ore and carbon.
written on 22-Sep-2008
hovaterdan says:
April 4th and 5th of 2009 is the proposed date for the Spring Gathering of the Michigan Flintknappers Society at Chelsea.
written on 22-Sep-2008
Canranger says:
Dan unpropose it it sounds like it is busy already.
written on 22-Sep-2008
hovaterdan says:
I can't, the event is the first full weekend of April.
written on 22-Sep-2008
TwoOtters says:
Abe. I do not think primitive man used Iron Oxide. So Your bricks will work. The price might be a factor?
Here is a U tube link on how to make your own. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vazNo1Eq8pM
You probably can make enough by April to make Your knifeblade.
Philwritten on 22-Sep-2008
Canranger says:
Iam still working on getting Iron ore but if all else fails Iron oxide is a back up.
written on 22-Sep-2008
SuePufpaff [http://fibermill.yurtboutique.com] says:
If the first weekend in April will not work, the shearing will not be part of the program because I can't mess with the shearing schedule but any other weekend is possible except the second weekend. I'm in Chelsea on the second weekend for a guild meeting. Yes Abe, part of the furnace can be built on site before April. We have 50 plus acres and a spot can be set aside for this project. I can probably even drum you up an assistant. We currently have a young man living with the family who is very interested in primitive skills.
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written on 23-Sep-2008
JimGilligan says:
I wish I could attend while the sheep are being sheared, but I'll be at the Spring Knap-In. That event is already set as it always coincides with the Chelsea Rod & Gun Club's April shoot.
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written on 23-Sep-2008
catherineglenkrueger says:
as i am standing in the background overhearing this conversation, the thought comes to me that the first weekend of april is set in stone,as my attendance will be at the chealse rod and gun club for the spring knap-in.
written on 24-Sep-2008
Canranger says:
Hey guys banging stones into tools has been happening for a long time now in fact it is kind of old hash. Rumor has it steel tools will replace stone one come on now get withthe up coming trends.
written on 24-Sep-2008
Mitzi_Lee says:
But they'll never replace the horse!
written on 25-Sep-2008
Canranger says:
Mitzi you obviously never watched a Peter Fonda movie..lol
written on 30-Sep-2008
JimGilligan says:
Hi Abe, thanks for putting this together. It's nice to see this level of activity on the site. Best, Jim
written on 01-Oct-2008
Canranger says:
Jim If you want to see a level of activity try posting a picture of you in your bicycle shorts you will get a full range of activity just a thought
written on 01-Oct-2008
Mitzi_Lee says:
Abe - we are all still waiting for you to post the photo of you in your harem pants - I'm sure you must have kept at least one....
written on 02-Oct-2008
Canranger says:
Jim Now that you have posted a pic can you tell me how to do that here in the thread so I can post a diagram of the pruposed furnace.
Thankswritten on 02-Oct-2008
JimGilligan says:
What you will need to do is post the image to a photo hosting site like Photobucket or Flickr. Once posted the site will generate HTML code that you can copy and paste into the comment box.
written on 07-Oct-2008
Canranger says:
US STEEL the old stelco steel corp has graciously donated as much iron ore dust as my truck can carry so I have to find a way up there to get it. The plant is on the canadian side it is not so much a way but the time and some extra people to load.
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