Martin Mendell

Thanks PaulE! Living in Michigan I have lots of bad weather so I will take your advise and not clay it.

Here is the completed forge. Sorry getting used to loading images on this site. I placed a piece of metal in the bottom. The screws you see are through the bottom of the steel plate are to hold the plate in place as well as the blower underneath. I was worried that the blower would fall out due to the bottom of the pan being so thin in that area. I have a piece of grating over the plate. Should I be worried of the steel plate warps? I would hate to damage the pan. Thanks for any help or suggestions. Still unsure about whether to clay line or not....

Very cool idea. I'll have to try this one.

I have finally finished restoring this forge. I will be posting some pictures soon. It is a buffalo forge from 1879. (Pre restoration pics are posted) The question is:. To clay line the forge or not? I live in Michigan so the weather varies considerably and am worried that moisture could get trapped below the clay and cause rust. The bottom is quite thin and I have placed a sheet of steel in the bottom of the pan. Any suggestions?

The forge will be in my garage and wheeled out for use. Still exposed to extreme changes in temperature/weather. Thanks so much for the suggestions.

I am going to use the coal forge rather than a display piece. In the process of sandblasting it. Trying to preserve it and stop any further rust. Weather here in Michigan can be a bit extreme. Any suggestions would help. Martin

Restoring an 1879 Bufco Forge and I am currently in the process of removing the rust. Does anyone have an opinion on whether to use a heat paint, like rustoleum for grills or imperial stove polish? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Martin

Neil, Thanks much for your suggestions. Any idea on how thick the clay should be lined in the pan? Martin

Craig. Thanks so much for the pictures and links to the original manual. I also have the same questions on whether to clay line the forge or not, correct color etc. I currently have the blower apart and redoing the blades on the fan. I an considering sand blasting the whole thing and then using a high temp paint on the pan. I plan on restoring and using it.

Here are the photos from the Buffalo Forge I recently received. Sorry some of the photos are sideways. Still trying to navigate thru the website. I do have the blower for the bottom, which I currently have apart and rebuilding the fan blades. I am looking for help in: original color, clay line or not, missing parts etc. Any help would be appreciated.

I am very new to blacksmithing and recently acquired a Buffalo Forge which is stamped pat. 1879. I am looking for assistance with proper rust removal, paint color and any missing parts. I have spent a great deal of time researching, but have yet to find a photo/info on the type of forge that I have. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I do have photos available. Thanks