Show me your forge (solid fuel)

[Ted T]

This was my 4th solid fuel (Coal/Coke) forge.
Finished my new Coal / Coke Forge - Blacksmith Photo Gallery
Under-belly of my new Coal / Coke Forge - Blacksmith Photo Gallery
I have had a total of seven (7) solid fuel forges in my time.
Ted Throckmorton

[John B]

Nice job Ted, How do you control the air flow?

[Frosty]

That's a beauty Ted. How's it work?

Frosty

[Ted T]

Thanks John!
I installed levers that are located on each side of the forge so that I can control an "air flow gate" from either side of the forge.
Plus I installed a “rheostat control switch” that I have mounted on the end of an extension cord.
This allows me to carry the rheostat across the shop with me. Should I have a need, I can remotely control the amount of air flow in the forge. Or, I can turn the blower completely off from any location with-in my shop.

Simple things mean a lot to me at this time in my life. So here are some simple things I built into my forge:
1. I welded a piece of ¼’round stock around the outside pot opening. The ring serves two purposes.
a. When I use coal, I can pour water on my coal and it will not leak out of the side of the firepot.
b. It just helps keep the firepot in place.
3. I installed a pull chain to dump my ashes without me having to bend over.
4. When standing straight up, I can just turn a handle without bending over to break up clinkers.
5. On each side of the forge I cut side openings so that I could lay stock more uniformly flat or closer into fire pot.
I built a removable side opening guard that I can remove or replace should I need to place longer pieces of stock across the forge.
6. I installed a “pull out /sliding stock supporting rack”, it is painted yellow.
The stock support rack may be extended out if need be, or it may be used from either side of the forge.
By rotating the stock holder over, it adjusts the depth that the stock will sit into the firepot.
This is just simple stuff that meant something to me at the time!
Ted Throckmorton

[irnsrgn]

nice job Teddy

[John B]

Thanks Ted, a little thought can make life so much easier, mine are also very similar, except I put the rheostat on a seperate extension as I can then use it on other tools if I need to, and the side supports are a seperate item on the portable forges.

[Aeneas]

Here are my forges ...
On the left is my forge space in my classroom (technically not mine but it is while I'm at that school). Natural gas forge.
In the middle is my charcoal forge for demos.
On the right is a coal rivet forge I picked up at auction.

Sam

[m_brothers]

Here's mine. 100% Homemade.