K. Bryan Morgan

Ok, here's an update. I got the one side of the tongs done and am working on the other. I switched over to coal. What a difference. All the study I did on coal use really paid off. I was able to make a nice fire quickly and got the steel up to heat in a hurry. Almost melted some of it. So all in all a good day. Not letting me upload pics. Will try again later.

Thanks Thomas, I did figure that out at the end of the session, but by then it was too late. I will be using coal from now on. Grant, I still need to make the other half and also draw out the reins on the one I took a pic of. I spent way more time on the rake than I did the one side of the tongs. Still have a long way to go ..but... it is a good beginning.

Got the forge fired up and made a rake and started a pair of tongs. The forge works great, got it up to a high yellow heat in short order. I'm using a little 5 gallon shop vac ($20) with a store bought dimmer switch. I have very good air blast control. From nothing to a raging inferno. I still need to draw out the rein on the one side of the tongs and work the other side still. But, I'm making progress. I will be using coal from now on though. This forge eats charcoal like you wouldn't, or maybe you would, believe.

Frosty and Deb, your in my prayers and thoughts. I pray that you recover and are well.

Irontwister, it took a couple of weeks for me to be able to get all the parts I needed. This is a hobby for me, and I have priorities. Like getting the house ready for winter. Making my lady happy... you know things like that. As far as putting all the parts together, it took about 30 minutes to grind the hole in the plate, and about an hour to put the frame together. I had to drill 2 holes in the floor flange for the pipe so...I would estimate that all told there are about 2 hrs of work in the forge. Not counting time to go and get the pieces I needed. Total cost for everything I paid for and didn't scrounge was about $50.00.

Yes that's right, it's called floor plate. It's mild steel, nothing on the surface.

Thanks rmcpb, I don't know about another level, but it is simple to do without welding skills, equipment ect. Question. Since its galvanized, would it get hot enough on the edges to be a danger?

George, it was really similar to that but had a rail under the plate attached to 4x6s, I think. I've been looking for the pics but I still can't find it.

Here is my break drum forge. Made from steel 2x4 studs, 1/8" deck plate, 2" pipe of course and, that's right, a break drum. Have yet to fire it up. Dang blow dryer went poof. Rasser Frassen thing. :rolleyes:

If one person tells me I have a horses tail, sometimes I don't listen, but when 2 do it, I check to see if I can swat flies. I will make a separate stand for the prichel block. I'll probably be able to knock it off with out too much trouble. The break is way more than half off already and I can move it a little by hand. So, not much holding it on at the moment anyway.

Another thing I was thinking of was to remount it on top of the rail. Making a step, a good flat spot, more material under one place on the anvil and a prichel hole as well. It would also not suffer from shear forces when hammered on. I would have to have it done I don't own a welder or know how to use one. I have so much to learn...

That's a good idea for your anvil. I have a piece of rail that i plan to mount like that too, with one addition of a piece of plate on the top. I saw someone on the forum do that but I couldn't find the picture of it to show you. Well done on the tongs too.

The tail has a prichel hole in it so the previous owner put that on..the weld needs to be redone however, its split right where it it was welded to the rail. I don't know if it needs to be preheated or what..not being a welder. And yes getting ready for the winter.. Also, want to get together soon. My girlfriend needs to get her certification test done soon. So I hope to get down that way before too long.

Frosty, Yes the dreaded blue smoke. Gotta keep that little monster bottled up for sure. Avadon, I thought of that too. But for me its real easy to move as is. I also like the height it is and if i added wheels it would raise it some. Or, I would need to cut off some leg. I will do that on the next one. Thank you pkrankow.