Kendrick

I have officially had the first firing of my new coal forge. Things went well even though I jumped into it before I was fully ready. I don't have a sprinkling can yet so I used a sports bottle and the blower is kinda scabbed together. It's a constant speed blower with a flap of box tape over the opening to control draft. So I burned a bit more coal than I could have but the results were satisfactory. I started a new project with it and I think my first real forge weld in a coal forge was decent. Since we can't upload pics right now here they are. http://home.mchsi.com/~stcarol/ff12009.JPG http://home.mchsi.com/~stcarol/ff22009.JPG http://home.mchsi.com/~stcarol/fnp2009.JPG http://home.mchsi.com/~stcarol/fcw2009.JPG P.S. The blue shirt I'm wearing is my flame resistant uniform shirt. :D

I am using my third gas forge. Each one has been refined in the process. I am getting ready to build #4 this winter incorporating things I have learned here. So far I have not spent more than a few dollars on them. I am, however, lucky to be able to salvage most of my materials from the scrap at work. Most importantly the Kaowool. I may have to use two or three smaller pieces to line it but it's free.

That looks EXACTLY like the cracking I was having trouble with on the tent stakes I was complaining about a couple of months ago. The entire section I was using on that project did that although I haven't had any trouble with any projects since then. (not using the same stock either)

wow That's all I got wow

Thanks guys! You've made my day :D

Brian, I knew they were over there but wasn't sure what the name of the place was to find a number. Thanks, I now have 150lb at $25. We spent more in the fabric store my wife wanted to go to since we were over that way! Now if the clay would ever dry!!! Once more question for whomever: Much of the coal is fairly fine pieces, peanut-ish sized. The gaps in my grate are about 3/8 and these pieces can fall through. Is that a casuality I just need to accept? I was thinking of putting some smaller expanded steel over the grate to tighten it up, figuring it would need replaced often. Comments?

All I can say is WOW.

Just finished this last night. Posting pics because a friend wanted to see it. All in all I'm happy with it, but I hate that I couldn't get the curls symmetrical. I always seem to get one side of a project right and then just can't quite get the other as nice. Oh, well, I'm learning. Kendrick

My wire wheel is a far cry from OSHA approved. I have a 1/2 hp DC motor (on a variable speed control) with the arbor adaptor on the shaft. It's a baby version on the monster we have in the maintenance shop where I work. There are no gaurds but there is also nothing for it to redirect with or catch on. When it yanks something away (and it does happen from time to time) it throws it across the shop away from me. I also have a foot switch on it so as soon as I move my foot it dies. Kendrick

rmcpb, thanks for the compliment! Wagonmaster, Yep, that's me. Stan got me hooked. I'm not sure when I'll get to fire it, gaylen. It'll probably be a charcoal fire because I haven't gotten a coal supply yet. Getting anxious though.

A couple of steps closer. I made and mounted the legs today and did the piping for the blower and the ash dump. Kinda proud of it, engineered and made it myself. I even made the handle extend-able just in case. Monday I need to cut the notches in the sides, add chains to the legs and line it.

OK, after an experiment I think that the gauge isn't working right. Tried the regulator from a turkey fryer that was labeled 5 psig and the gauge only got to 3.

After reading the "efficiency" thread I decided to add a gauge to my forge for the first time. I have always had trouble getting anything even 1/4 stock sized up to welding temp. I knew I was running a low pressure regulator and not getting the volume most people had. I just had no idea how little. Assuming a standard air gauge will read propane correctly, at full blast I'm running about 1 1/2 psi of gas! I need a bigger regulator! Kendrick

The killer, George, is that General used to do that. I bought some sheet aluminum from them just a year or so ago. I guess times are changing. I wonder if the salvage yard I used to go to for car parts still does the find it yourself and take it off cheap deals... Kendrick

I feel your pain. I was working on railroad track for the last 4 years. I didn't get a "real" anvil till this summer. Kendrick

I was reading the new posts to this thread and the banner ad at the top was from Magnet4less.com. I think Google is spying on us.

Cool idea George. Thanks for sharing that. That loks a lot easier that what I was thinking. Kendrick

I recently read a Popular Mechanics article (not sure if it was a recent article, I just read it recently.) about using a stainless steel double sink. From what they said it worked great. I just worry if your sink is enameled like the one in our kitchen that the enamel will pop. Kendrick

I love those! Care if I copy your design? Kendrick

I have a pile of magnets out of dead hard drives. One of them is what I've used lately. Of course then I have a heck of a time getting them out of the old pliers I use to hold them! Kendrick

I use a cheap 3lb sledge or a ball peen to hit tools. I'm planning to do like Keith said here. My plan was to paint a red ring for hot work on the smooth end and a blue ring for the cold tools on the other. Kendrick

I just read about re-purposing old clippers to tongs. I have a couple pair that I don't use and probably never will for the intended purpose. I thought I would ask if they have an intrinsic value I am missing. The top set has no marking on it at all. The bottom set is Champion DeArment. I also threw in a pic of a visitor to the shop today just because. Kendrick

I know this thing is going to be a far cry from perfect but I hope it works. I plan to try the kitty-litter lining. Now I need to make a blower or bellows for it. It looks rough but I have a $0.00 investment in it so far. I set it on that 1/4 drum just to set it down. It fits perfect and I'm debating just using that for the stand.

Now that I finally have an anvil with a hardy hole I made a couple of tools for it today! Now I just need to figure out if a jackhammer chisel is more suitable for a hot or cold cut tool. Kendrick

It's interesting that you mentioned the chisels. A friend that came by on the same day you posted that admonished me as well. I guess I better dress them. I bought a bucket of punches and chisels at an auction. Haven't touched 90% of them. Thought I'd show you the rest so you can recoil in horror. Kendrick