Kailthir

I have this issue, except I haven't used any flux. It's a syrupy goop on the floor. Only used the gas forge 2x. it appeared the first time about 45 minutes into it. Now it is pretty thick, about 1/8'" to 1/4". I have no clue what caused it. Yes i did forge weld in it, but again .. no flux. I did heat it up slowly. It's only in the spot i put the steel. Now i have to replace the fire brick on the floor. Which mean dismantling the whole forge. I have a magestic forge 3 burner. Not sure what to do or how to combat this.

Yes it was a matter of the paper and kindling burning to fast because I had the air on to high. Also a contributing factor was using coke instead of coal to start the fire. I rectified the situation and have started the forge in under 5 minutes. Thank you all for the suggestions, it worked. "Judge me by the size of my hammer, do you? ...And well you should not! For my ally is the Forge, and a powerful ally it is." ...Forge Master Yoddle Michael... What's wrong with the anvil stand? Seen many stands made like mine. It works least as far as I can tell. The only change I think I may make is to change the feet. I have 2 1/2" feet on the bottom. I think I need to reposition them. An easy fix. "Judge me by the size of my hammer, do you? ...And well you should not! For my ally is the Forge, and a powerful ally it is." ...Forge Master Yoddle

Hey now... I own 3 kilts myself. Cant get more manly than a guy forging in a kilt. lol And yes I solved the issue of starting up the forge. I put the blower on low, and I used a little bit of coal before I thru coke on it. Worked like a charm. "Judge me by the size of my hammer, do you? ...And well you should not! For my ally is the Forge, and a powerful ally it is." ...Forge Master Yoddle

JHCC... Good point. I am using Bituminous coal and coke. I didn't think to put a disclaimer for Anthracite coal. Thank you for mentioning it. "Judge me by the size of my hammer, do you? ...And well you should not! For my ally is the Forge, and a powerful ally it is." ...Forge Master Yoddle

Lou L, I agree with you about the fuel waste, it wasn't wasted. I was making a point on how the average person would see all the negatives and get discouraged. Me on the other hand. I actually had fun and learned a lot. That is why I said it was a success. I loved working with the forge today, even tho I didn't make anything. Another thing I forgot to add is that I learned is ...color. Didn't look like the videos. I noticed there was a big difference from looking at heated metal it in the sunlight as opposed to looking at it in the shade. I have my forge mobile and just outside the carriage house, but my anvil is just inside the carriage house. The metal changed a few shades of color when going from direct sunlight to shade. Something I need to be mindful of. Think that was a contributing factor in me burning the metal as well. Anyways Happy Forging "Judge me by the size of my hammer, do you? ...And well you should not! For my ally is the Forge, and a powerful ally it is." ...Forge Master Yoddle

OK well made some rookie mistakes first time forging: 1-Burnt the metal a few timed and ruined the piece. Realized that you don't have to have the blower on high to heat up a 1/2 piece of stock to white hot. Note to newbies like me... do yourself a favor, don't leave the stock in the fire long, constantly check the color. I made the mistake thinking that it would take some time for it to heat back up... nope. If you have something to do like... idk... grabbing a new bag of coal from the other side of the shop and opening it and pouring it into the coal bucket then adding it to the fire....pull your stock out of the fire until you are back in front of the forge, it will burn and melt. Lesson learned lol. 2-Stock was too big for the wolf-jaw tongs I have. This must be a big mistake a lot of us rookies make. I had a very hard time controlling the stock while hammering it. THIS COULD LEAD TO A TRIP TO THE EMERGENCE ROOM! The stock could get away from you and cause serious injury. I realized I was fighting a losing battle so I shut down the forge (I only have two pieces of stock at the moment, will go get smaller ones like 3/8") 3-Make sure you have enough coal at the ready, AND monitor your blower. I went thru a pretty good amount of fuel the first time cause I left the blower on constantly. Then I had to go open another small bag of coal. While doing this I left the stock in the fire... reference #1 lol. 4-Right tool for you, and the right technique for the job... Just because other people are using 3/3.5/4 pound hammers doesn't mean that it is the right size hammer for you. I have a 2.5 and 3 pounder. Was using the 2.5 pounder... for the first time. It got heavy at the wrist real quick. Realized I was using a death grip on the hammer, and I was holding it in the wrong place. I choked up on it about 3/4-1" from the bottom of the handle. Found it to be much more comfortable. Also noticed that maybe I need to move to a 2 pounder until my body gets accustomed and conditioned to the motions and the work involved. Or until my arm gets stronger. No shame in this for anyone for going to a smaller hammer if needed. 5-Rome wasn't built in a day... I was trying to make something simple like a coal rake and botched it up (refer to # 1/2/3/4 lol) No problem, I will just try again with the lessons learned today. Don't quit just because something went wrong, its a learning lesson. I didn't create anything today but I pounded on some metal for a few hours. Believe it or not I actually learned ALOT today. 6- Fire maintenance... I didn't realize how much fuel one can go thru if we don't pay attention to the forge. LEAVE THE BLOWER OFF WHEN THE STOCK IS NOT IN THE FIRE, save yourself some fuel, it isn't cheap. It will only take 3-7 seconds for the temp to come back to forging level. ok ok... maybe 5-10 seconds. But you get the point. All that time you are hammering and dressing your piece with the blower on is wasting fuel. Also, depending on the type of blower you have, the HIGH setting isn't always needed. I found that my blower on low was adequate to bring the 1/2" mild steel to forging temp. (its a hair dryer). I didn't make anything today... I wasted fuel... I used the wrong tools for the job... almost had a bad accident (refer to #2)... Over all I would have to say it was an overwhelming SUCCESS! I learned more today by failing to produce something than I would had I made the coal rake without problems. Next time I start up the forge I will try not to make the same mistakes. Who knows I may produce something next time.... Remember always think positive, learn from your mistakes and don't give up. Remember #5. It takes time and experience... Happy Forging. "Judge me by the size of my hammer, do you? ...And well you should not! For my ally is the Forge, and a powerful ally it is." ...Forge Master Yoddle

Lets see if this works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkPF9Pow7xM&feature=youtu.be

Sorry Thomas I misspoke out of frustration and typed coal instead of coke. My apologies. And the area is 2" diameter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkPF9Pow7xM&feature=youtu.be

cast iron grill. I used the cast iron grilling grates as the interface. I welded one on top of the other at right angles to produce small squares about 3/8". Yes I have a bag of coke and a bag of coal. I figured I would use the coke and put the green coal around the fire to burn off the impurities and turn it into coke. Should I be using the coal to start the fire and add coke afterwards? I have seen people on video start up the hearth with coke.

all piping is 2" diameter black iron, flange welded to the break drum, 4 inch long pipe, T connecter, 4 inch long pipe to a twist on cap, the horizontal pipe is 6 inch long with a two speed hair dryer duck taped to it. Yes I tried it on low and on high. Am wondering if I shouldn't be trying to use coal instead of coke to start the fire.

I have the standard "T" with a cap on the ash gate. Piping is 2" black iron. So you are saying that I may have too much air going to the firepot?

The dryer has two setting low and high. was using it on low.

Using Bituminous coke. Break drum forge with a hair dryer as a blower. Repurposed an old gas grill. I have tried to upload a video of it but cant get it to upload.

I have tried everything. Watched the videos, read the how to's, read the forums... put it into practice... nothing.. 2 1/2 hours or trying to start the XXXX thing. Even went and bought a torch to light the coal like I seen on a few videos... nothing. I built the forge, but I have yet to be able to use it. Fustrating. I am at my wits end. Tried the rolled up paper ball, the mushroom ball, the wood and kindling.... nothing works. I have watched people start their fires within 3-5 minutes. I followed their instruction to the letter. I don't know what I am doing wrong.

Well my first attempt at building a forge is complete. Took longer than expected. I repurposed an old gas grill. Yes I know the welds sux, but it was my first time welding. I learned that welding sheet metal doesn't work, even at the lowest setting, it melts the sheet metal.. I should have bought steel plate. Lesson learned. So plez don't give me crap about the welds, I know they aren't very good lol. Made my anvil stand by using 2x6 cut at 10". I put some feet on the bottom. Think I am gonna take them off. It rocks a little. Either because the floor is uneven or my cuts may have been uneven. IDK anyways tell me what you guys think. Tried to upload a short video but it didn't take for some reason.

According to the instructions and the door panel the polarity is correct

no, the tech and the instructions specifically say for flux core, the clam must be on the positive post and the gun on the negative. I don't want to switch them and blow it up or something lol. Its frustrating cause I want to build my forge but cant because I have welding to do.

I bought a Lincoln 140 HD Weld Pak. Using flux core wire, not gas rig. The wire feeds thru just fine, np... but there seems to be no arc.. no current. I have it all set up as per the instructions, even went online and watched a video or two to make sure I haven't missed anything. I don't understand, I returned the 125HD for the same reason. The tech said it was a bad gun. I cant be that unlucky to have two different models with bad guns? Anyone else run into this problem?

Ok update, Not going to make this perminat at the moment. Going to convert and old gas grill to a brake drum forge to start with. Once I figure out what I want and can afford I will make a brick side draft forge. I was looking too big at the start.. little steps and then build up from there. I think that will be a better plan. I know what I want and had a vision.. but Rome wasn't built in a day and neither can this.

Building my first first coal/coke break-drum forge. Seen a lot of blowers advertised as xxxCFM. How much is too much or too little for forging and or forge welding?

Perminat. It will be in my carriage house in the back yard. Coal/coke. CHARLES:... Thank You for your service as well. Old Infantry Paratrooper here. You know the grunt mentality... if it don't work.. beat on it till it does.... might as well beat on some iron till it works itself into something useable/beautiful. lol

DASWULF... Maybe I am starting to over think this too much lol. Just don't want to go on a shopping spree and start building and set up stuff and then realize I forgot or missed some important issues.. especially safety issues. I guess the only think to do is start building and putting the shop together. If I wait till I plan out every miniscule thing.. it will never get built.

I did not know one could strip the galvanization or zinc off bolts. Good info to have. Great idea on the flea markets as well. I have been looking for them in the area. Unfortunatly I haven't seen any. I did notice that I have run into a snag in my quest to plan all this out before I go on a big shopping spree lol. I over looked probably the biggest issue when smithing indoors.... the chimney. I failed to incorporate a chimney into my building plans. I know I needed one, and I thought about it and said to myself... "I'll put a chimney in and vent to smoke thru the roof of the carriage house and I will be fine" unfortunately I didn't actually fun the dimentions or length or think about anchoring it on the roof or anything like that... just made a mental note that I need one lol. Back to the old drawing board I guess. Over 2 decades in the army has taught me to plan everything out and have a back up plan for the back up plan, before any action is taken. Cuts down on the "OH S#*%T" factor created by Murphy's Law lol. Anyways thanks so far for the suggestions, it is much appreciated. Apparently I still have some planning and kinks to work out in my design for the shop before I can get started building. I did think about the fire extinguisher and forgot to add it to the list on my first post. It is on my list of things to buy. Great idea for a lid. I will incorporate that into the build. I just thought of something else... I suppose the water and oil can I am using for quenching cant be galvanized or plated either right?

OK I am attempting to build my forge. It is a brake drum forge. Been researching for about 6 months now. I am now at the point in my life where I now have the time to get into the craft. My question is:.... What type of bolts can I use to fasten the flange to the break drum? I know zinc and galvanized metal is a no-go in the forge. I know stainless steel will melt in such a high temp. Problem is I cannot find bolts that aren't either coated with zinc or galvanized. Where are people getting these nuts and bolts that are safe and wont melt? If I had a welder I would teach myself how to weld and just weld the thing together. Also every now and then I see people building the piping out of what looks like galvanized steel. Isn't this dangerous and potentionally fatal? So far I have the break drum, cost me $5. I went on line to Home Depot and have on order (haven't placed the order yet cause I keep thinking of stuff I need lol): -Welding gloves, apron, file set, 2 pails (one for water and one for oil), coal pail, stainless steel wire brush, fire brick, 6" heavy duty bench vice, 40oz Estwing cross peen hammer, 32oz Estwing ball peen hammer, welding sleeves, eye pro, 4,000 watt generator (for electric tools and an electric blower), 4-1/2 in. 80-Grit (Medium) Grinding and Polishing Flap Disc, for my angle grinder to dress the hammers ......Am thinking on making the table and forge structure out of stone. I have stone left over from making a small wall that keeps the yard from washing into the driveway. Still not sure on this. I only have carpentry tools like drills and saws etc. Anyways, if I am forgetting something please let me know, or if I am wrong on the tools I have chosen. I haven't bought the stuff yet except the break drum. The other stuff is in my shopping cart lol. Oh and I need an anvil. I have a line of a free one for a co-worker. He said it was his grandfathers. I haven't seen it yet but since I still cant find one after looking for 6 months, free is better than nothing, no matter what its condition. I don't have the money to buy a brand new anvil. Haven't found hot punches or hot cutting tools yet either. Sorry for the long winded post. Just trying to start off on the right foot with the minimum to start out. Plan on forging my tongs and tools to cut on costs. Again if I am missing something please let me know please. EDIT as suggested: I am in the Fort Drum/Watertown, NY area. I retired from the US Army. Now I don't know what to do with myself so figured blacksmithing would be a good fun hobby lol.