missourikid

I do have a fan out there just didn't think of it.

I just now put my forge up just going to have to add wheels to help move it. I'm planning on doing more once it quits raining.

I fired it up Wednesday afternoon and took a peice of rebar and bent it to form a coal rake. Since it has been raining since I haven't been out there yet again. I have learned one lesson and that's not to have it near a 3 sided building due to the smoke.

I have the coal I have ordered is coming from Rich Hill, Missouri. But I have tried to contact the 3 in my area to no avail even for hands on learning or apprenticeship for a year. Most of the information I have gathered was from a friend out of state.

I have 6 inches from the top of the rotor to the top of my bricks and 8 1/4 from the plates to the top of the bricks. I can add more bricks if I need too as I have them stacked two high. I've been asking around but I'm considered a outcast here as the town is very clannish even though my mom family is from here in Salem they disregard any questions I have but I am persistent in my quest though I will get something accomplished, even if I have to watch yard-sales and garage sales for tools.

My brother-in- law has one but with no truck its hard to move the forge and he's 2 hrs away from me and he won't meet half way nor bring the welder to me. I may check with someone at church who may have one I'm not sure how much stuff he does have as he keeps buying and selling it all even if its just for a one-time project.

The holes are 5/16 and 1/4 inch drilled thru some cutouts I had here. I have plenty of brick here is that just the regular red brick used for brick houses? I don't have access to a welder so I went with the plates. The five holes barely move a sheet of printer paper when held 18 inches above the lip of the forge.

So I finally got it finished and have 25 lbs of Bituminous coal on its way.

I'm planning on small projects i.e knives, and repair of my farm tools. The lip is a 2.5 inch lip added and yesterday I added a steel plate to keep the coal in and not falling down the blower tube, drilled holes 15/32 for air flow.

Thanks Glenn for the advice, I have excess scrap metal laying around I can use to add a fence,just leave one side open or do I go completely around with it?

So I started yesterday on my one forge, I had planned on working on it some today but I woke up to 2 inches of snow on the ground and a arctic wind blast. I have included a photo of what I have done so far which isn't much, as I have to put the blower system together and find a source for some coal. All I did was cut the hole and it was a bit tight but just a tap of a hammer and it went in.

In thirty mins is my entire county drive time.

I know where there's a welding supplier store 3 towns over but the local fabrication shop closed doors last year.

I've searched BAM, and ABANA, most are 3-4 hr drive from me for that so I maybe on my own.

I don't think so.