DSCF1995

I heard that vice-grips were invented by a blacksmith

I just bought a forge similar to this one. Except it didn't have the concrete in it. It has in the bottom to clay first is clay better than concrete and what kind do you use?

that is an idea i picked up from Frank Turley way back in '94 it is a sand and cement mix 3 parts sand - 1 part portland cement, fireclay is fragile and cracks that mix dont crack and is forever it seems. that is my "lazy" blower the forge has a buffalo HANDY blower that a machinist friend overhauled in exchange for a wrought iron coffee table base it turns so easy now, he gonna get a nice table as soon as wife designs it. the forge came with no grate that is a 1/2" thick pipe blind in stainless steel with 3/8" holes in that just fit into an igloo lunch box. works well too. See my homemade hood? i like the smell of coal smoke, but it can get a bit thick.i have had the forge on demo, and students use it in the shop we never had any problems with the cement for a while now. PAX

that is an idea i picked up from Frank Turley way back in '94 it is a sand and cement mix 3 parts sand - 1 part portland cement, fireclay is fragile and cracks that mix dont crack and is forever it seems. that is my "lazy" blower the forge has a buffalo HANDY blower that a machinist friend overhauled in exchange for a wrought iron coffee table base it turns so easy now, he gonna get a nice table as soon as wife designs it. the forge came with no grate that is a 1/2" thick pipe blind in stainless steel with 3/8" holes in that just fit into an igloo lunch box. works well too. See my homemade hood? i like the smell of coal smoke, but it can get a bit thick.i have had the forge on demo, and students use it in the shop we never had any problems with the cement for a while now. PAX

mine has a crack in the bottom that someone bubble gum welded would it be better to seal it with jb weld or should I leave it so it can flex if needed

is the crack something that flexes, wiggles,going to be, and is, destruction of your forge? or just ugly? if the latter slap some cement mix over it and truck on. as for the former, well do you have an ox- acetylene torch? if yes braze it, i have some forty years welding experience and have NEVER seen a stick welding rod for cast iron that works at all( same story with aluminum stick rods) i thing the bubblegum weld is likely to be an attempt to weld it with a steel welding rod just braze over it. as for JB weld .............that stuff should be an inditeable offence against metal totally useless and often when it did not work for s**t a contaminant i should charge more for removal. i see above this box isnt friendly to punctuation marks "-"-"- ha!

Thank you

I agree with ONR, BRAZE cast iron, my near 40yrs exp. and as far as I'm conserned all the cast iron "miricle" rods just make the sellers rich.
Steve, if you are concerned with the 'bubble gum' weld and don't feel good with brazing you can strap it together...usually in the bottom of a fire pan the cast is burned and so dirty that it can be difficult to braze anyway.
Sorry Josh, we kinda stole this... but I do like your rig!and the visegrips just add to the look. :P