Tyler Cech

Ok thanks for the help!

How do you tell it steel is galvanized, I know what it means to have steel galvanized but how do you tell? Zinc is nasty stuff and I read some threads on IFI sounds like it’s not a good idea to use galvanized. Hopefully this picture will help you tell.

When I make charcoal I use an old metal garbage can inside a metal drum, shoots fire like crazy!

Alright I’m back and I have finally created a forge, problem is the red cart I want able to use (I broke it) but I came across an old grill that was free at the end of my road. It’s filled with gravel as you can see and I used fire bricks rated for 2700 degrees Fahrenheit and a couple of red bricks for different spots. I decided todo this because I did not know how easy it would be to get hardened Clay out of a grill in case I wanted to change the design. My bellows is an old squirrel cage fan I pulled out of my barn. I rigged up a switch to the board it is screwed into to get airti the pipe so I can shut it off from the board. Blows through charcoal like crazy any better design? (I know similar answers are posted in other places in IFI which I have read just figured I would add this in) My anvil is not ideal but it did the trick for my first knife (knife looking object, a blank?) I haven’t hardened it or sharpened it I was gonna do that today but it was raining and there is no ideal space in my garage. Here are the pictures give me your suggestions in brick layout and over all design. I’ll hopefully get more and better pictures and videos in if needed thanks! 16FA6291-4FA2-4A1A-BFB1-DD567C83EED9.mov file

So, I have been sweeping through the forums and have found that most people suggest a dry clumping kitty litter. Is there a certain brand that works well? I’ve been trying to figure out which brands use bentonite Clay and which ones don’t. I just don’t want to buy the wrong stuff. Thanks for any help you can give me!

alright, I think i'm going to try to find some good clay by the river by my house. If not, I'll try buying some kitty litter or something like that. Thanks for your help guys and gals!

Alright, so to Clay or not to Clay? Should I use Clay or kitty litter I can’t seem to find an answer on which is better. I’ve seen people use both. I want to make knives and possible reach temperatures or forge welding. What do you all suggest?

Ok, but the red cart is only three inches deep on the top? Wouldn’t I have to weld on higher walls in order to make it so I could put I tuyere coming out the side? And have the filling and charcoal on the bottom?

If I did a bottom blast would it be worth it to buy something like this off of CL?

So I would use some sand or dirt or kitty litter or mix and fill the bottom and try making a tuyere sticking out the side?

I feel, that it would be easier to make a bottom blast forge, but what ever you all think would be most effective for charcoal I might just do. I’m planning on using charcoal because I’ve seen videos of people making it and it seems easy enough.

The red cart is almost 3’ tall and it is 30 1/2” long and is 16 1/2” wide and the top is 3 1/2” deep. What kind of forge would be best for this? JABOD? Bottom blast? Side blast?

Ok, thanks for your help. I’m sorry about repeating.

From what I know it sounds like it wastes water? Or Maybe i just don’t now what I’m talking about .

That’s an idea Charles. I might have to try it. And JHCC I want to try using a dry tuyere because I was hoping to make it kind of compact. But please indulge me on how it works and how it is so important maybe you will change my mind?