Hello! I've been camping at red top mountain almost since moving to the area, and for the last several years, occaisionally trying to make contact about getting their forge going.

Today, for the first time, someone listened and was seriously interested. (I believe there is new management.) I was more or less given a green light, but I also know that some other people in the group were interested and I'd spoken to them about a year ago. My main concern is that between military drill and the railroad, my schedule is very irregular. (Hence why I haven't been to a meeting in 5 or 6 months. Miss you guys!)

Trying to get their hood repaired and kickstart their forge. Thanks! (Anyone else interested? Who was originally involved?)Hope I'm not stepping on any toes!

I think that the big things it needs are a little TLC, some maintenance, and getting people in to demonstrate. I don't mind the first two, but the third is going to be irregular and very difficult to plan ahead for me. I know they were looking especially for someone to demo on their Homestead Days, Sep 19th and 20th.

I'll be trying to demo when I can, but with the railroad as well as drill with the Guard...a lot of randomness to it. Right now, trying to plan repairs and organization, and looking for a list of people that would be willing to work on it, and/or demo.

The shop itself is in decent shape, with the exception of the hood, which has been removed, and needs to be refabbed and replaced. I was trying to figure out the best way to go about that, and something that looked approximately authentic.

After that, they could use a few more tools/supplies, and the ones they have could use a little bit of maintenance. They have a couple of hardies, an anvil, two post vises, both of which could stand better mounting, two blowers - one frozen, one working, maybe 10 or 12 assorted tongs, couple of hammers and struck tools that need dressing, some stock, coal, charcoal, and a nice post drill.

I think it would be a nice demo or two to get in there and make some tools; they seemed short on hammers, punches, drifts, chisels, nail header, rivet tools, swages, quench tanks, files, hose or such connecting blower to tuyere. And perhaps a box or couple of racks to organize things. Looks like most of what they've got has been left behind/donated, and then possibly pilfered a bit by demoing smiths.

I think with a little effort, we could also put together a wooden box forge or even a "55 forge" for forging outside or nearer to the casting shed, where thinking period is not such an issue. That would also allow for some forging almost immediately, despite weather and the state of repairs.

guys - earlier this year I pulled the fire-pot and filled the cracks with high temp chalk
I offered to build a new hood - the old one is pretty much garbage. I have just been really
busy the last 4 months - so I didn't get too far along with the layout.
I'm still willing to put one together if we can come up with some material.
I found a source for the 8" exhaust tube and couplings - if we get the hood built.

I got a message from Pieh yesterday - says that they have a source for getting the fire-pots drilled & Tapped - maybe now the park will get the new pot they ordered last Dec.

I offered to demo up there this weekend back in August. They didn't get back to me until 2 days before the event. If they are looking for volunteers and help they really ought to respond sooner. I had a lot of fun the last time I was there but I already made other plans and didn't appreciate the lack of notice.