Finery forge facts for kids

A finery forge is a hearth (a brick fireplace) used to make wrought iron by burning pig iron. Finery forges were probably used in the 3rd century BC. In the 18th and 19th century it was replaced by the puddling process.

History

China made finery forges before 200 BC. Europe made finery forges around 1200 AD. Europe’s finery forges were worse than China’s until 1400 AD. Europe started powering their finery forges with water wheels. In 1700 AD, Europe made blast furnaces and started using puddling techniques

Types

German Forge

In Germany and Sweden, most finery forges only had one fire used for everything.

Walloon Forge

Walloon finery forges were used in north Sweden, and made oregrounds iron. Oregrounds iron was the best iron available in the 18th century.

Lancashire forge

Process

Pig iron is melted, making a lump of iron called a bloom, and slag. The iron lump is then hit with a hammer many times. Hitting the iron with a hammer gets the slag out of the iron, so the iron can be used.

Images for kids

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  Hearth (left) and trip hammer (centre) in a finery forge. In the back room (right) is a large pile of charcoal.

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  Interior of the preserved Walloon forge in Österbybruk, Uppland

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  Exterior of the remnants of a Basque forge

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  Mosser found near Newland Furnace

See also

In Spanish: Ferrería para niños