Michael.Bell

I have an old round barbecue base for that I'll use for a forge pot and I'll cut a tuy in the base with my jewelry saw and make it a bottom blast

Didn't need to add air much really so my normal breath was enough though I am making a small bellows so I can avoid lightheaded-ness

So I got fed up and realized I have this amazing fire pit in my yard and used that to heat some metal so I could forge a helper/plant hook for myself so here is a picture! It was nice to get something made really... Now to invest in a proper anvil and make some S hooks for my wife to use around the house :)

Also, on a more relevant note, what is the best way to create the tuyere in the pipe? Drill holes? Cut some slits in the pipe with a hacksaw?

So I am getting a friend to help me raise it up on some large stone slabs to add height. I am taking a break on the building process as of today. I was chipping some of the chimney lining down to fit in the cap stone hole better and a shard sliced my thumb pretty good.. 3 stitches in all so I have to take a week off while it heals then back at it, maybe with some Kevlar gloves this time..

I live out in the woods and my fire pit is a great source of charcoal for a forge. That being said, maple and oak are frequently used in my pit with the occasional cedar. Anyone ever worked with those who could vouch for it's usefulness? Should I use that or just bust out last years Christmas tree for it? (I have been drying the tree as firewood in my yard)

So I was initially making a soup can forge, but due to a severe lack of financial resources, and a pre-existing abundance of fire bricks (a collapsed chimney that my landlord sealed off rather than repair) I decided to put the gas forge on the back burner for the time being and pursue this avenue. I am just wondering if it is feasible or not, and if 3" of 1" pipe is big enough for air supply to my relatively small heating zone. Included is a picture of the base of my forge. I have left it where it is so far to consult here before I continue so I can find out if it will become a forge or a chiminea/coal oven.

Thanks in advance,

Michael

Johnny; where about (aboot) in Canada do you live? I'm in SW Ontario myself...

Neil; I apologize if that was how it came across. It was not my intention for it to be taken that way at all. Frosty had said he had never heard of using plaster of Paris as a refractory so I was just telling him where I got the idea that it might work. Sorry for any confusion.

Thanks, 

Michael

Thanks for the info guys! This has been something I have considered doing for a while but couldn't due to time/space constraints. Frosty, I was referring to the ever popular soup can/coffee can forge for a starter forge, something small to get some practice in with. It uses plaster if Paris and sand (50/50) as the refractory. That said I was intending to get a better liner ASAP as I do eventually want to make a more permanent (yet still portable so I can bring it inside after it's cooled) forge for larger projects.

Thanks again guys!

Michael 

Hi guys;

I am new(ish) to the site (I have read a great many of the articles posted here prior to joining) and I have a question: Can I use a homemade plaster substitute (ie: flour based plaster) or homemade fire clay/sand mix for the refractory or should I go and purchase proper plaster of Paris? 

Thanks in advance,

Michael