My forge heat went wild because of the damp weather

I was working on a detailed hinge for a garden gate yesterday, and my forge refused to hold a steady temperature. This summer humidity is just awful, making the air feel heavy and wet. Every time I added more coal, the heat would shoot up then drop fast, ruining my metal's behavior. After hours of effort, the hinge came out twisted and weak. It's so maddening when the weather wrecks a project you care about! I know other blacksmiths deal with this, but it never gets easier. I'm thinking of putting up a simple roof over my forge, but that means more work. For now, I'll just stick to smaller jobs on drier days.

3 comments

3 Comments

josephmartin1mo ago

That garden gate hinge can't be all the weather's fault.

saraht151mo ago

Actually, I've seen how brutal the weather can be on outdoor hardware. The constant rain and sun REALLY wear things down over time. It's not JUST the weather, but it's a HUGE part of the problem. If the hinge wasn't made for outdoor use, it'll fail no matter what. So yeah, I blame the weather a lot, but quality matters too.

miles_garcia1mo ago

You know, humidity really messes with forge work in a big way. It's not just about the metal quality or how it's made. When the air is wet, the fuel burns differently and heat control goes out the window. That sudden heat change can ruin even the best metal before you finish shaping it. So while good materials help, the weather is often the main problem for outdoor forges. A simple roof might help, but it's tough to beat a bad humid day.