Pucks first forge

That'll work just fine as it stands. Make a better one later, after you've used this one a while and understand it better. You have your steel too deep in the fire, the air blast is what's burning it up. Lay it a little flatter so it's higher in the mound. You can also turn the air down or pile the coal deeper, the heart is right under the surface it needs to be shielded from ambient air. Deeper and narrower will use less fuel and give you a wider range of the proper heat. You'll burn less up.

Frosty The Lucky.

Thank for the tips

It's my pleasure. Just so you know though, I'm mostly a gas forge guy but fire is fire and I'm a pyrophile. <grin>

Frosty The Lucky.

Understandable. I would go for gas if I could. I have a flame thrower that I could modify I just can't afford the btu's. Coal makes my wallet happy.

Oh yeah.. As for the forge and the metal. The hopper in the middle drops down about 6 inches. The steel still had a good 3 - 4 inches of coal between it and the pipe. I also wanted to ask.. 

Yesterday I cut a window on the side so I could fit longer stock in it but when i bent the flap down, the refractory cracked. There really isn't a gap but the crack goes all the way through. Do you think it is still safe to fire? The refractory is about 8 inches at it's thickest and 4 at Its thinnest.

Yeah, most solid fuel forges don't really need a refractory, what you have is fine. No, I don't consider plaster of Paris and sand much of a refractory but it's plenty good enough. However, if you see the crack is effecting operation or more importantly safety just mix up some more and patch it.

I think that's probably a plenty deep fire pot you have there.

I should stop opining and let the guys who burn coal all the time do the talking. I'll just keep the mood light. . . Well, okay I'll have to toss out my all too often random thoughts now and then. Oh yes, I DO agree this isn't the best use for a flame thrower. Just sing out if you want to build a propane forge, I've picked up a trick or two.

Frosty The Lucky.

I will most definitely.  I have a feeling im going to like you.

I'm a likable B.S.er, it's like a super power and you've fallen under my smell. Bwahahaha. Seriously though, attend a blacksmith org. meeting you'll find you like being in the company of smiths. Even when we disagree it's a good thing.

Frosty The Lucky.