2200 deg F, blacksmith fire to heat

[candidquality]

Thought just crossed into my head about using the heat wasted from my
fire to power a small Stirling. I'm sure I would have to build this
myself as apparently no decent small scale engine's are available.
Plus it just sounds like fun. I burn coal in a forge for
blacksmithing and there is constantly hear wasted from this. I use
some of the heat to draw the smoke away, but otherwise it remains
untouched. A torus shaped hot side would make the most of the heated
area. So what do you think?
fire temp ranges from 2200 to 3000 F. Cold side is just ambient 0 in
the winter to 130f in the summer inside the shop.

Obviously I have a lot to learn about the engine, need to start with
the basics. But with no immediate need this could be a long term
project. Full machine shop at my disposal. Setting up a small
foundry for casting soon as well. cnc mills, cmm's. all kinds of toys
I can use to make what I need.

Would be good just to run a fan to cool me off eventually, probably
start with one that would just run the blower motor to keep the forge
supplied with air. More for conversation than a dire need.
Ideas? tips? pointers? feasibility?

[kennethmallorysfungi]

To James Moran ; I'm just now "scratching the surface" myself : but I was a metallurgical lab.tech. for nearly a decade. (pretty much the same tests the entire time) I'd recommend a little bigger unit NOT right on top of the forge {melting the engine}. It sounds like you have the "toys" needed to create what I strongly desire = An electric generator run off a wood fired cook stove / furnace!