What you need for a forge workshop

A forge workshop needs more than steel and a fire. Each participant needs a safe, usable workstation, including an anvil, vise, hammer, tongs and protective equipment. You also need fuel, prepared steel, cooling capacity, fire-safety supplies and enough lighting for detailed work. Buy or collect consumables early, then check quantities against your participant limit before the workshop day. The checklist below keeps the essential workshop, safety and catering items together.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Work tablesqty 6
Stable stoolsqty 20
Beer tablesqty 3
Waste binsqty 4
Coat racksqty 2

Equipment

Forge firesqty 4
Anvilsqty 4
Bench visesqty 4
Air blowersqty 4
Workbench lightingqty 6

Tools

Forging hammersqty 20
Forging tongsqty 20
Punchesqty 8
Chiselsqty 8
Thornsqty 6
Filesqty 12
Wire cuttersqty 6
Cold cuttingqty 4
Wire brushesqty 12
Measuring rulersqty 6

Safety

Safety gogglesqty 24
Leather welding apronsqty 20
Leather welding glovesqty 24
Ear defendersqty 24
Dust masksqty 24
Fire extinguishersqty 4
Fire blanketsqty 4
Heat-resistant matsqty 6
First aid kitsqty 2

Kitchen

Coolersqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 40
Reusable platesqty 30
Reusable cutleryqty 30
Serving jugsqty 4

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Washing-up tubsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Forge coal - 25 kilogram
- Steel rod 10 millimeter - 20 pieces
- Steel rod 12 millimeter - 20 pieces
- Steel strip 25 millimeter - 10 pieces
- Steel plate 3 millimeter - 5 kilogram
- Grinding fluid - 2 liter
- Chalk - 6 pieces
- Cable ties - 1 bag
- Coffee beans - 1 kilogram
- Tea bags - 80 pieces
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Spa Blauw - 40 bottles
- Spa Rood - 20 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 20 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Salted peanuts - 2 bags
- Rice cakes - 4 packs
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Cucumber - 6 pieces
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Mini wraps - 40 pieces
- Cheese slices - 1 kilogram
- Hummus wraps - 20 pieces
- Cookies - 4 packs
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Degreaser - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Microfiber cloths - 2 packs
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 4 packs

Tips

Plan one complete set of frequently shared hand tools for each workstation where possible. If tools will be shared, add time for participants to queue and prepare extra hammers, tongs and measuring rulers.
Prepare steel in advance and cut it to the required sizes before shopping for catering. This prevents the workshop from losing time while participants wait for material to be prepared.
Provide one pair of safety goggles, leather welding gloves and a leather welding apron per participant. Add ear defenders and dust masks according to the work process and workspace rules.
Keep fire extinguishers, fire blankets and heat-resistant mats immediately accessible before lighting any forge fires. Do not place them behind tables, coats or catering supplies.
Use coolers to keep catering chilled from collection until serving, and check dietary requirements before buying quantities. Buy drinks and food only after the final participant count is known.

Frequently asked questions

What tools does each person need for a forge workshop?: Give each participant access to a hammer, forging tongs, measuring ruler and a stable anvil or workstation. Shared items such as punches, chisels, files and wire brushes should be counted against the number of participants and the planned assignment.
How many safety items do I need for a forge workshop?: Plan one pair of safety goggles, leather welding gloves and a leather welding apron per participant. Keep at least one first aid kit and accessible fire extinguishers and fire blankets in the workspace; check the venue’s safety plan for the required number.
When should I buy steel and forge fuel?: Collect steel and fuel several days before the workshop, once the participant limit and forging assignment are fixed. Cut the steel to size before the event so the workstations can be set up without last-minute cutting.
How much cooling and chilled storage is needed?: Provide enough cooling capacity for the planned number of participants and workstations, including coolers for chilled catering. Put chilled food into the coolers as soon as it is collected and keep it there until serving.

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