Kael Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 I finally finished my coal forge! It's made of a Massive old bus rim with plumbing fittibgs attatched to the bottom with slits for air and ash. Inside of this i've piled up several flat rocks in order to create a bowl-shpaped firepot. Here's the problem: the pipes are cast iron, but the flange connecting them to the rim is zinc-plated. My forge is located out in the middle of a field, so ventilation's no issue, but if the zinc flange gets hot enough, will this cause a health concern? Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fe-Wood Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 YES!!! But you don't haver to breath the fumes. Once the Zink is burned off your good to go. You might consider using a mild acid solution to remove the zink before you put it together.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillbillyblacksmith Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 It could be a problem maybe, maybe not but best not to risk it, what could be a bigger problem is the rocks you have inside the fire pot depending on what kind they are they could explode on you if they get to hot I know sandstone is bad about that. when I was little for fun we would place them in the camp fire and watch them pop. I would suggest fire brick, furnace cement, or refractory clay. just remember its always better to be safe then sorry even if it means spending a little extra time or money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countryboy39067 Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Amen to the above. We lost a great man in this art from cooking off galvaized pipe. RIP Jim "papaw" Wilson!!Staff note, this is not correct, there is a long thread about this, with real facts. Jim had other medical issues, Please get facts straight before posting rumors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Since there is a layer of material above it, the flange may not get hot enough to fume, however overnight in vinegar, or 5 min in muriatic acid and you don't have to worry about it ever. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kael Posted May 26, 2011 Author Share Posted May 26, 2011 Vinegar will remove the zinc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poopdiddly Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Vinegar will remove the zinc? Yes. I soaked my flange in vinegar overnight, and it took about 60% of the zinc coating off. The rest I could have just peeled away, but I was lazy and just lit the forge and let it burn off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arftist Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 It could be a problem maybe, maybe not but best not to risk it, what could be a bigger problem is the rocks you have inside the fire pot depending on what kind they are they could explode on you if they get to hot I know sandstone is bad about that. when I was little for fun we would place them in the camp fire and watch them pop. I would suggest fire brick, furnace cement, or refractory clay. just remember its always better to be safe then sorry even if it means spending a little extra time or money HELLO! READ THIS GUYS POST. A LITTLE ZINC BURNING OFF IN A FEILD IS NOT YOUR PROBLEM. EXPLODING ROCKS ARE YOUR PROBLEM. ROCKS IN AN OUTDOOR FORGE ARE NOT O.K. DANGER! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kael Posted May 26, 2011 Author Share Posted May 26, 2011 Use firebrick, then. Probably a really good idea. Thanks everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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