FrogPondForge

I think welded steel is tougher, and more easily repairable. It won't crack when you drop it (or drop something on it), if it does, you can weld it easier than cast. You can throw water on it without that nasty cracking sound too. Steel has a higher melting point than cast iron, probably erodes away slower as well. If you can cut and weld it, and, are lucky enough to use scrap, they are cheaper too. As I recently learned, hours add up. If you had one made, it would cost at least as much as something similar in CI. Since I have the CNC torch and a welder, I'll be making my own. I'll probably never profit from making them as a side business though. The welding and assembly takes too long. I could probably do a fair job of cutting out u-weld-it pots for folks (depending on the price of plate these days!). Alot of people have welders. MIKE FrogPond'sDad

I used 3/8" plate. The cut file takes about 23 1/2" x 17 3/4". He supplied a chunk about 24" x 23 1/2". It was real close on the X axis. He came and picked it up tonight. I think he was happy. MIKE

I didn't build that part. But I think the idea is that the ash may fall past the joint better. It came from "the internet" and had the ash door and round flange. I think he got a reducer down to ~2" as part of the deal. There is a set screw on the inlet side. I think the curve is moot. With the restriction at the fire, the elbow is more of a plenum than a manifold. I built mine from scrap and it looks like this. Air blows right through, works like a charm. MIKE

Thanks ApprenticeMan! I used the same cut file as Tom's. His works well. I'm sure this fellow will be able to use this for a long time to come. Enjoy, MIKE

A fellow heard about Tom's forge and wanted a forge pot. I burned and built it today. He supplied the plate and ash-dump/air-pipe, I think he bought the ash-dump from the web for ~$30. Came out well. All I have to do now, is figure out how much to charge. I have about 4 1/2 hours in it (including foreplay and clean-up). It is always a tough call. Of course, most of the time is in assembly. I haven't had much luck selling them as u-weld-it (the way I'd rather do these). He is coming by tomorrow evening. We'll see how I do. Enjoy, MIKE More pics are here: ForgePot FatherofFrogPond

Bet he takes it off in thunderstorms. Tom

I think they are 1/2-13 thread. Great tool, I use them on my drill press. I'll have to get another for Tom to use on the anvil. They are cheap at HF ( Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices ). Great idea! , MIKE FatherofFrogPond Copyrighted photo removed and link put into the post.

I used forge scale and torch table....stuff (dross?, scale?, splatter?) to make leather dye. Put a bunch in vinegar and let it stand for a while. If you put it on vegetable tanned leather, or anything with tannin in it, and it turns black. It works really well. Looks like it just is wet at first, then it turns black in front of your eyes. Really cool. You are making actetate of iron. Some people use steel wool in vinegar, not if you have scale around. MIKE FrogPond's Dad

Here is a link to Tom's forge: index (untill the blueprints are back up; BP0545) You could probably print one of the drawings and scale it to suit your needs. I have been thinking that I could do you-weld-it firepot kits. If you gave me the length/width/depth dimensions you were looking for, I could draw and cut the parts. For a "nominal" charge, of course . Getting less nominal as the price of plate keeps going up! There is a surplus steel warehouse nearby, I usually source plate from there, but it is "pot luck" as far as having a suitable chunk sitting there. Tom's is from 3/8" plate, works well and probably will last a LONG time. Good luck, MIKE FatherofFrogPond

Try these guys: Small Engine Warehouse Small Engine Distributors There is another called ACE Engines (Air Cooled Engines) . They sell surplus engines. There are a few deals to be had. Good luck, MIKE FatherofFrogPond

I built one like tenbears'. I have about $8 in metal in it. The Blueprint is BP0545 (are they down right now?). Or you can look at it here: index . Works great! Mike FatherofFrogPond

I think they are discontinued. I started calling stores in an ever increasing radius from home and found 3 in a store (Vineland NJ) +-50mi away. Best part, they were $56.95 each. I bought one. It would be worth a try from where your at. You'll need the HF # for the anvil. They are usually under the shelf somewhere, they can tell if they have in stock with the part number. I think I found the part number in a Google search. Good hunting! MIKE Frog's Dad