fire-pots cast from refractory cement

[Alwin]

I made a fire pot from 1/4inch diamond plate steel, but I have no desire to frequently rebuild it so I built a water jacket underneath the fire pot and forge. The water jacket is 17" wide, 6" deep and extends for 36" with the last 6" going past the back of the forge. On the 6" that extends past the back, it is open on top and extends an extra 6" up, making a total of 12" in depth for the last 6". There is enough volume to use the forge all day and just top the water off the next day when I start again. I have been using this forge as a primary means of heat in a fulltime blacksmithing business for a year now without trouble. I had priced firepots, and it seemed like this design would be cheaper than a cast fire pot and easily fixable by myself. As a bonus it is an excellent humidifier for the shop in the winter.

[herchammer]

Great information! I have much to consider now. I have neither the tools, nor the skill to weld up my own firepot, but I may have it done at a local fab shop.

I had wondered about the firing of the refractory cement, and thought it might be a problem to control the temp to give it a slow enough rise. Thanks everyone, for the great feedback.

[Feukair]

Originally Posted by Alwin

I made a fire pot from 1/4inch diamond plate steel, but I have no desire to frequently rebuild it so I built a water jacket underneath the fire pot and forge. The water jacket is 17" wide, 6" deep and extends for 36" with the last 6" going past the back of the forge. On the 6" that extends past the back, it is open on top and extends an extra 6" up, making a total of 12" in depth for the last 6". There is enough volume to use the forge all day and just top the water off the next day when I start again. I have been using this forge as a primary means of heat in a fulltime blacksmithing business for a year now without trouble. I had priced firepots, and it seemed like this design would be cheaper than a cast fire pot and easily fixable by myself. As a bonus it is an excellent humidifier for the shop in the winter.

Hey Alwin... I'm not sure what you mean by a water jacket, is this basically a large tub of water that the firepot sits in to keep it cool on the outside while the forge is burning on the inside?

Thanks,
Lt

[RegionalChaos]

Feukair, Yeah, I think that is what he means. It's sorta the same thing the brits do, but they water jacket a side blast pipe, which sits in the fire, instead.

[Alwin]

It is like the water cooled side blast forges. The fire pot and the table around the firepot are cooled by being in constant contact with water that circulates underneath. You just have to keep the water level above the level of the forge table top, which is why you make the water tub to hold a large volume of water.

[Strine]

I fashioned a wooden fire pot....let me finish!! which I had cast in cast iron. The cost was surprisingly affordable even for me. That was in about 1995 and it's still going strong. When you do it this way you have the opportunity to stick on your initials or a logo or something. This really impresses the beginners and they think you're some sort of God-like smith. Gee... a personalised fire pot! What a pity the accolade doesn't fit the reality.

[Dale Russell]

For those of youse who ain't seen any of Mr Strine's work ava a chook at his pix in gallery , then tell us ifin " accolade doesn't fit the reality."

Sorry mate , couldn't help meself ......

Dale Russell

[herchammer]

O.K., I've decided against refractory cement casting. I was wondering, however, what you all feel is the best depth and overall dimension of your ideal fire-pot?

John

[herchammer]

I did a search of existing threads and came up with some different thoughts on firepot dimensions. I would still welcome your thoughts, and input.

[ThomasPowers]

There is no ideal forge much less an ideal firepot. I currently own 5 forges and each is ideal for certain tasks and terrible for others and I still have been known to dig a trench forge in the yard when I have a task that that is ideal for.

I think that you will find that heating RR rail up in a forge designed for knifemaking will be less than ideal and heating a knife up in a forge designed for heating RR rail will also be lacking.

So start by saying "This is what I plan to use it for; what is a good dimension for working with that?"