A simple, efficient and affordable charcoal forge...
How do I start?
Simply purchase the download file below - Each download gives you all the information you need to build the whole forge unit (including bellows) - the download includes DXF files for laser cutting, a cutting list for steel stock and a shopping list for parts as well as comprehensive assembly instructions.
What if I can't build it myself?
Don't worry! There's still multiple ways to own one of these novel forges... download the files and take them to your local steel stockholder or metal fabrication workshop or even your local blacksmith. For a fee they can easily fabricate this forge for you.
COMING SOON~ Very soon we will also be offering the whole unit to buy from this website, or you can purchase a full parts package from us and put it together yourself. ~ COMING SOON
COMING SOON~ Very soon we will also be offering the whole unit to buy from this website, or you can purchase a full parts package from us and put it together yourself. ~ COMING SOON
Bellows and Electric fan for the charcoal forge
Hand bellows or electric fan - which best suits you and your practice? Both are built entirely from 'off-the-shelf' component parts and are incredibly simple to construct and maintain. Both options mount onto the side tabs located on the forge housing and can be set for left or right hand use. Here's some tips to help you decide... or why not build both!?
Ducting Bellows
Hear the birds singing in between heats with this super efficient hand pumped bellows. The quiet, slow pace option, brilliant for back yard blacksmiths, off-grid forges and demonstration set-ups. Composed of parts easily available online or at your local hardware store this option takes a couple of hours to build.
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Ducting electric Fan
Coming soon.... (currently being trialed) The highly efficient electric ducting fan - quiet running with variable air flow control this fan is easily convertible to run on 12V or mains power for a truly versatile option.
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sustainability...
The design of forge unit is not made of component parts sourced for their own sustainability in manufacture. So this forge design could not necessarily be labelled as 'Sustainable'.
The charcoal sourced for burning must come from sustainable woodland local to the blacksmith in order to meet the criteria for sustainability. There are of course still carbon emissions into the atmosphere from the burning of the charcoal, but it can be argued that these are mitigated by the fact that the source (the tree) is still living (as coppice) and therefore is still sequestering carbon.
The Wisdom Charcoal forge project promotes the concept of switching to using charcoal for forging. If the UK blacksmithing community as a whole switched over then the environmental impact of the craft would be lowered significantly and another endangered craft (charcoal making) would be supported in the same move.
The charcoal sourced for burning must come from sustainable woodland local to the blacksmith in order to meet the criteria for sustainability. There are of course still carbon emissions into the atmosphere from the burning of the charcoal, but it can be argued that these are mitigated by the fact that the source (the tree) is still living (as coppice) and therefore is still sequestering carbon.
The Wisdom Charcoal forge project promotes the concept of switching to using charcoal for forging. If the UK blacksmithing community as a whole switched over then the environmental impact of the craft would be lowered significantly and another endangered craft (charcoal making) would be supported in the same move.
how can we help?
We have an ever growing community of blacksmiths using Charcoal in the UK.
If you've made the change over to charcoal or built one of our forges - we'd love to hear from you!
Send photos, adaptations or improvements or just say hello! to [email protected]
Please recommend this forge to your friends and contacts and help spread the word.
If you've made the change over to charcoal or built one of our forges - we'd love to hear from you!
Send photos, adaptations or improvements or just say hello! to [email protected]
Please recommend this forge to your friends and contacts and help spread the word.
Affordability - why charge for the download?
The charge for the digital downloads help to cover the running costs of this project. If you are experiencing financial hardship please do get in touch and I can offer you the files for a reduced cost or for free.
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Please respect the ethos of this project and if you make what you deem to be improvements or adaptations to the design please do share them with me so that I can keep the files up-to-date. If you notice any errors or out of date information do please let me know!
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Wisdom Charcoal Forge © 2025 by Lisa Wisdom is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
