Show me your forge (solid fuel)

[Glenn]

sorry i dont know how to post the thumbnail pics like everyone else.

Make your post as usual. Then below the box where you type in your text is a section called additional options. Go to the "Attach Files" section and click on Manage attachments.

Upload File from your Computer will let you browse your hard drive for photos. When finished and click on the UPPER button called UPLOAD.

Upload File from a URL is where you place the URL if your photo is posted on the internet (such as the IForgeIron Gallery). Copy the URL and paste it here. Click on the LOWER UPLOAD button. To add another photo, repeat as needed.

When you are finished attaching photos, go back to the box where you type in your test and click on Submit New Thread to save both the text and the images.

If the process errors out, it is usually because the files are too large in size. This is why we suggest posting to the IForgeIron gallery as it automatically resizes the photo for you. It also gives you a thumbnail link that you can copy and paste into the text of your post. When you click on that thumbnail, it will open another window and display the larger image.

[Hoary]

Well, I had put clay in to stop up the holes in the rim then a lit the fire to bake it not too bad. it was actually funny, since I didn't have any base for the forge yet I just put it up on a ladder turned on its side in the shape of a v. I'm hoping to find a more perminate base for it. but anyways here it is...

[jimbob]

go to Lowes or Home Depot and get 1/2 dozen concrete blocks ...three on each side leave room for the blower. cost should be about $10.00

[Brian C.]

Here is my forge. Designed & 98% built by Loren Roper of Simply Smithing Blacksmith Shop. It has a homemade firepot of 1/2" steel plate.

[HWooldridge]

I have to comment on something I keep seeing in these pictures - mainly for the new folks.

I can't speak to charcoal and this doesn't work as well with coke, but a coal forge does best with a lot of fuel in the box. Although it may seem counterintuitive, piling a lot of coal up and around the fire will actually insulate it and use less fuel. In addition, it takes much less maintenance to add fresh fuel and makes the fire deep enough to weld effectively.

I have some lump coal from the Midwest and some slack coal (mostly fines) from Oklahoma that I use in my forge. I fill a 5 gallon bucket with the fines and wet it with about 2-3 quarts of water. After the fire gets going with a little coke from the previous session, I pack the wet coal around the fire so it will begin coking. On the outside of the wet stuff, I rake up whatever is dry and laying in the hearth. The mound at the firepot is at least 5-6 inches above the hearth so it is a nice deep fire. As the fire burns down, I pack it in from the sides with a poker. Most people work on bars of some sort so this method creates a trough in the fire.

I have seen newbies who tear down and practically destroy the fire with every heat or two trying to manage the heat, but effective fire control is more about regular and minimal maintenance to keep that hot glowing center, which will provide an efficient heat on the metal.

[Brian C.]

I knew that I would hear about that little bitty fire. I usually do it the way Hollis says, but that day was a test run of the new forge/blower set-up just to check things out. I do know better.

[Hoary]

I was just baking the clay in the rim holes, It's kinda hard to really black smith when my county is on a water restriction and the fire marshall is has issued a fire restriction so I had to keep the flames going in small sections.

[HWooldridge]

I wasn't criticizing - I realize these pictures are intended to show everyone's forge setup. I just wanted to add a tip to those who might not know since a newbie might look at this thread and think skimping on the coal is the right way.

[Hoary]

It was very helpful, I'm sorry having a bit of stress related issues right now lol kinda funny that I was a who's flame is bigger contest lol... yeah that sounded odd, but know it did give me something to think about and apply once I really get it up and running. Thanks I'll get a right start in the trade

[easilyconfused]

In my experience with charcoal, the bigger the pile of charcoal, the bigger the fire since it requires less air to burn than coal. You have to make sure to keep it wet on the outside to keep the fire from spreading and too much water douses the fire down. It's definately a fine balance that comes with experience and I still can't say I'm a master at it. I just let it burn usually and keep the fuel pile the size I want to burn.