That Tuesday my forge almost caught my shop on fire

Last month I was working on a batch of leaf keychains for a craft fair in Portland. I got distracted answering a text and left the forge running while I stepped out for lunch. When I came back 40 minutes later, the anvil and workbench area had gotten hot enough to scorch a rag I'd left nearby. The smoke smell tipped me off before any real flames, thank goodness. I spent the rest of the afternoon checking every corner and rethinking my shop layout. It made me realize how easy it is to get comfortable with routine and forget the basics. Has anyone else had a close call like that when you got too relaxed with your setup?

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1 Comment

torres.blair18d ago

I saw a piece on safety in a metalworking group about how routine is what gets people hurt, not big mistakes. That smoke smell was a lucky break, probably worth a good fire extinguisher check today.