Clam River Coal Forge

Do not sell yourself short it looks very nice, and I believe that anything made comes from the heart.

Repairablity will depend on if it is cast or forged. That crack might have been there for a hundred years, with no ill effects. Inspect it carefully and see. Forged anvils can be welded, but it would have to be preped carefully, including deep grinding and proper pre and post heating. Cast anvils are pretty much impossible to repair a deep crack.

Welcome to IFR looks like the forge is home made using a portion of a automotive rim. Not sure on the blower does it have any other writing on it?

There is this up coming farm auction in April they have a large anvil. When it was first listed they had photo and it showed a crack across between the feet. How serious is a crack in the base? Can it be repaired or should one leave alone?

Here's my first forge with some modifications for using out doors. Still working on getting it installed inside and than I will not have to depend on the weather.

Sometimes I must have my head in the wrong place, but you guys know point blank how to set me straight. I am not saying that it was a dumb question because that would only be if I had not asked. Thank you for the advice. I need to retire so I have more time to beat iron and than I can share this with the group.Right now still trying to set up forge inside so I can work at improving my skill level or give up never!
CRCF

If I were to buy a pair of tongs to get started with what type would you suggest?

If you have access to some clay that would work better than what you have. I used it for a home made foundry years back and had good results. You can break up some fire brick and add to the clay.

Okay, I need some help. I lined the forge with a mixture of some kitty litter and water. I also added in some sand. I compacted it as much as I could. I've been leaving it in the sun for the past 2 days, and this is what it looks like so far.

I knew I would get some cracking, but this much? Also, I thought it would feel more smooth. Instead, it feels like Quikrete and small pieces are breaking off. Should I fill the cracks in with more clay mix, or should I scrap it all and start over?

But the good news is that the tuyere? works really well. The hair dryer really moves that air through.

I agree with the rest try it out! I have so far retrived coal from a river and now I have been give coal that has been exposed to th weather for over 30 years. Some is soft and some is hard some are big chucks like 12 inches square that I have broken up. The coal that I am getting this week has a lot of slack (small pieces) I am going to try it this weekend and see how it cokes. I do not think one should settle for a certian size a mix would give you some variability with fire control.

I will try it out this weekend let you guys know how it works. I have brung home about two barrels full does not look like I made much of a dent in the pile maybe more like three ton covers area approx. 10 x 12 feet and 2 inches to at lest 12 inches in depth. If this coal works I will really need to get going on my new forge which is bigger. Just have small forge like used for rivits or horse shoeing.

I have access to about a ton or more of coal that has been outside for maybe 30 years. I have managed to get it to burn, but have not put in the forge to try. The pile has much slack form all the years of exposure. I want to know if its worth the effort to bring it home the guy would be happy to get rid of it, and its free so the price is right

Thanks for the advice!
I feel better knowing I am not alone in this world of hot steel. I have a wall that separates the two shops, but alas the ventless heater adds moisture to the saw shop and in I have vented this into the area that I was doing the forging this winter, Looks like I compound my problem.

This winter I have tried using my forge in one side of my garage, I had it vented some but not the best. I even opened two doors and a window. What I did find is that in the end that I have my saw shapening business tools were getting a lite surface rust. I had not seen this type of rust since I had a jug of muratic acid leech out. Could this be from the fumes of the forge sulfuric acid! I have since stopped forging in the garage. I will forge outside until I can build a separate building.

Nice job

Very nice I really like the design of the hearth bed. About how long did it take you to construct and what is the bed size of the hearth?

I am still wet behind the ears and have much to learn.
George

ok I have looked at the end and it is hollow which confirms that I was forming what you call a piping effect the outside taking over the inside. I am not sure what type of steel. It was a pip of some sort the was rounded on one end and had threads on the other. I have tried the the pointing squaring first and than going to octagon and than rounding it down and this seemed to work ok just a bigger hook for the wifes bird feeder.
Thank you all for the support.

PS I am really glad that you are back with us Frosty
George

I guess it may have been too cold, but if I understand what you are telling me even if I want the round stock in a point that I first square it and than form a octagon and than back to round!
George

Hey All
I was trying to drawout some 1/2 inch round stock and asw I started to make the point it just started to splinter like wood! What did I do wrong?
George

Frosty
You were the first person to welcome me to this forum, and although I am not as active in it as I would like. I send you all of my prayers for a speed recovery
George

Bryan may have been referring to my home made anvil which I have attached a photo again. I used a 1"x3"x10" piece for the top. The horn is something I found in the scrap at work.

Hello and welcome to the group I my self have not been member long. I made my own anvil to start with. Need to make some tongs. Pliers and vise grips just don;t cut it.

I do appreciate all the advice will let you know how it goes next time I fire it up- been trying to rig the forge so I can work inside. I know one thing for sure if I have a trying day at work beating a little iron sure can make me feel better

I have a coal forge it looks like I have scale forming when I take it to the anvil, but soon cools off. Maybe I get to big hurry.