dagr8tim Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 Ok, I eventually want to build a propane forge. But I want to start heating and hitting metal. I'm wondering if I have a solid design. To start out could I take say an old webber kettle grill, line it with fire clay, and then lay some fire bricks on top.then have a brake drum from atleast a 1 ton truck (I'm thinking atleast Dana 60 or Dana 70). Then I could use the drum as a fire pot and the rest of the grill as a hearth. I know I'd have to re-enforce the base of the grill because it was not designed to support that much weight, and run some form of ducting setup through the bottom. Like I said, I'm not trying to build the end all beat all. Just something I can start heating metal in, and practicing how it flows and flattens out when it's hammered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweany Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 I think the weber setup sound inconveniant and overbuilt. here's a good shot of the tuyre setup. and another simple one at working height. http://www.beautifuliron.com/forge_brakedrum.htm keep it simple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 Just get a regular sized brake drum for a car, and set it into a steel of sheet like an old metal shelf, trash can lid, drum head, whatever. No need to have a super sized brake drum forge to start with. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainely,Bob Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 I taught my son how to forge metal by making a hole in the ground,digging a narrow trench off the side and burying a piece of pipe in the trench to supply air by way of an old hand bilge pump from the dump. Build a camp fire and keep raking the charcoal to the center and you`re all set.No electricity needed. He tells me he still does this from time to time when he`s out camping with friends and has spread the word pretty effectively using this technique. Beats getting your lip burned by marshmallows. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edge9001 Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 I have two forges. one is a propane forge i bought from the original builder. the second one is my solid fuel forge. my solid fuel forge is a brake drum forge. mad efrom the brake drum off a ford van. I have yet to find a need for a larger solid fuel forge yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jreed Posted October 2, 2010 Share Posted October 2, 2010 Here is one I made the table top is a lid for a 55 gal drum the break drum is off a Ford Taurus. You don't need a large drum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagr8tim Posted October 2, 2010 Author Share Posted October 2, 2010 Here is one I made the table top is a lid for a 55 gal drum the break drum is off a Ford Taurus. You don't need a large drum. I saw your forge in a thread of solid fuel forges. That thread gave me some ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jreed Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 I saw your forge in a thread of solid fuel forges. That thread gave me some ideas. That thread is where I got some of the ideas for my forge. I found that even the car break drum I am using was a bit large when I switched from charcoal to coal. So I lined it with refractory cement to take up some space and give it a better shape. The possibility's are endless my only advice is K.I.S.S. that is what I kept in mind when I built mine. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagr8tim Posted October 5, 2010 Author Share Posted October 5, 2010 That thread is where I got some of the ideas for my forge. I found that even the car break drum I am using was a bit large when I switched from charcoal to coal. So I lined it with refractory cement to take up some space and give it a better shape. The possibility's are endless my only advice is K.I.S.S. that is what I kept in mind when I built mine. That's what I have to keep reminding myself. I think I have a solid design now. I can't wait to get down to building it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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