Joe W

Now I have to get the air hooked up. Mr. Lorance is a nice guy.

Now I have to get the air hooked up. Mr. Lorance is a nice guy.

All, I tried cutting the cast iron with a 4" grinder and a sawsall. Both worked fine, but the sawsall seemed to be better. Plus I think it would be less hazardous because airborne metals that I could breath would be less. Since I am confident I can cut the table, I ordered a firepot from Mr Lorance. Mr Lorance said I could cut the table with an air torch. If my plan to use a grinder and saw doesn't work out, I'll try to find someone with and air torch. I'll post pictures after I get this done. Thanks for your input. Joe

Thanks clinton. Your suggestion on using a grinder appears to be do-able. I have learned that cutting the hole with a torch would likly end in disaster and trying to saw it would be a bad idea. If I put in a rectangle firepot, I wouldn't have to make a curved cut. I saw the pictures you posted when you replaced your firepot. Tomorrow I will try my grinder on the cast iron table to see how well it works, before I call Mr Lorance. Thanks again. Joe

I have my mind set to refurbish this forge instead of building another one, even though it might not be the most logical thing to do. It appears that I am going to have to cut a hole in the cast iron table whether I build a firepot or buy one. Do you think I should use a saw instead of a torch? I do not have a torch, so I will be asking a friend who has a torch to do it, but perhaps I could saw it myself with a hacksaw or sawsall and use a grinder to smooth it out. This sounds like a lot of hard work. Maybe a torch would work if the metal was heated properly to reduce the chance of cracking? If I get the hole cut, could the firepot sit in the table without being bolted down? Also, how do I keep coal from falling down the air hole? Centaur offers a part called a Cast Iron Tuyere grate, but the description specifically says that the tuyere will not fit a Centaur Coal Forge, which I guess this means it won't fit the firebowl I am thinking about buying.

Hello All, A friend gave me an old coal fired forge, anvil, tools, and blower. Unfortunately the fire pot and tuyere are rusted out. I think I can repair it with a Centaur 12" Round Firepot with Sliding Ashgate, Item Number 12FIREPOT. I think I can cut a 12" hole in the bottom of my cast iron table with a torch, set the firepot in, and connect it to the blower with a 3" flexible pipe. The blower is in good working order. I am seeking a second opinion on this from someone who may have tried it. I called Centaur, and they said they thought it would work, but I did not get the feeling that they clearly understood what I am trying to do, therefore I am still a little worried about spending all that money. I have attached a sketch and picture of my forge. Also, besides the firepot and air hose, do I need any other parts such as a clinker breaker or grate to keep coal from falling down the air hole? I very much appreciate any advice. Centaur offers a book for beginners called A Blacksmith Primer, which I plan to buy. Joe