Forging Fever

I made some progress on my supercharged 55 side blast forge as well. I made the opening in the side wall way to small so I will be cutting that bigger soon. Still haven't had a fire in it yet, but we are getting there. I still need to add a grate to the bottom of the fire pot, but I don't think I'm going to put a pipe under it as this is a side blast and all the ash will be contained under the 55 gallon drum that is the base of the forge. I used a drum with the top cut out of it and flipped it upside down. en cut an opening in the center to drop in my brake drum for the fire pot. I cut a 12" wide by 7" tall opening in the face of the chimney then cut in slots every 3" to create tabs around the rim. The first time I cut them the slots were to shallow and I had to cut them a second time. Finally I alternetly bent the tabs in and out to cradle the rim of the first drum.

For anyone that was worried I was messing up my anvil here are some pics. The striking surface and bottom end of my bar stock anvil were not at all level and I cut maybe an inch total from both sides combined.

Haha Charles, that excuse hasn't worked for me since the third grade. We moved up here from Denver area in '98. That first summer here was the last time I heard the phrase "come home when it gets dark." Well I rolled up to the house around 11pm mamma wasn't to happy. Frosty, I'm coming down for a Costco run tomorrow-Friday (possibly Saturday) can I come visit you sometime say, Thursday? I'll be staying on outer springer loop at my brothers house. I hope to make it by Pat's shop while I'm there too. I live across the street from a public park. We get kids playing basketball all night. The sun at night doesn't bother me but that thump thump thump sure gets to me. It wouldn't be so bad if the net wasn't a chain, but what you gonna do? In other news, I got my anvil cut flat last night!!! Thank god for friends/former bosses with access to a horizontal bandsaw!

My wife saw this post and informed me that this statement combined with being out until 3am this morning means I spent all my brownie points. Luckily I earned one point back this morning by sending her to work with a perfect cup of coffee.

Nice one Frosty.

You can't beat free fuel nice score!

I can get the drum fine. It's just finding the time to do it. I work a ten hour day at the airline and I still need to spend time with my family, this is how I earn points with the wife, not that I get to use them. Plus chores. I'm going to the boneyard sometime tomorrow with my coworker who is also a heavy equipment operator there and we are picking up a few for me to use. I'm thinking about building a retort as well... We will see.

I don't know why the pic is sideways when I upload it, but below is a pic of the local fuel prices posted at our one and only gas station. We get all of our fuel once a year on a barge so the prices are set in August and do not change until the next barge arrives the following year. We are actually down $0.50 per gallon for gas and diesel from last year.

I'm just curios what everyone pays for forging fuel. Tell me where you are, what fuel you use, and how much it costs. Oh and don't forget to add in your local Gasoline/Diesel prices. I live in Point Barrow, Alaska I don't currently have a forge but I'm working on a 55 forge that will burn free pallets. Our gasoline runs at $6.50/ gallon and diesel is $7.00/ gallon

Alright I will nix the used oil. Thanks guys.

I was considering making a piece from one of the cutting edges into the top of my anvil but I think I'll wait to do that until after I get some time to have some one on one with Frosty. It will make an excellent anvil I am sure. I completely understand that all I need is something to strike on. I was watching a documentary on the traditional forging of Katanas last night and they had a pretty basic piece of steel for their striking anvil. Glenn, I am working on acquiring a 55 gallon drum for my 55 forge. I am going to be using pallet wood as my fuel as you suggested, and I was wondering what your thoughts are on adding used oil to the wood to make it hotter/more efficient? This may not be practical which is why I am asking before I waste time and effort on a hair brained idea.

From my maternal grandfather "Old age and treachery will win out over youth and vitality every time."

Yeah Tristan told me about the FB page yesterday I just forgot to sign in. I don't do Facebook all that often. I haven't logged in for years.

My Maternal grandfather was a mechanic. I wish we lived closer to him growing up. It would have been amazing to learn that skill from him. He just turned 76 a couple days ago and doesn't get around very well anymore.

Haha you have no idea! My dad was the supervisor at sanitation here for several years. Frosty, that is good to know. I will hold off from collecting anymore for now. My in at the heave equipment shop may be able to help me with cutting them but I will have to buy him some drinks later to find out. The pin from the loader arm may become my anvil horn at least for now. And I do hope to make a hammer eventually. I still need to get my hands on a "grownup" sized cross peen. Speaking of the class, would you be able to send me the details so I can figure out if I can make it or not? Thanks -Tim