utaholdiron Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I got this old #401 forge the other day. I cleaned it up and primed it and painted it black. I should have stopped there, but instead wondered how it would look with certain parts painted red. After carefully masking the areas I didn't want red, I grabbed the red spray paint can and went to work. Only when I was done did I realize I'd grabbed the high gloss red instead of the low gloss. To continue the foolishness, I'm going to also paint red the rivet heads and the little sign that says "No 401" on the outside of the forge pan. The finishing touch will be to paint the letters and numbers in the sign black, so it really stands out. About now many of you are thinking, "This guy has way too much time on his hands!" Which is true, but it was a learning experience. The masking off took HOURS and was a big mistake! When I do the outside, instead of all that masking off, and then spray painting, I'm planning on limited masking and using a painters brush. This should be quicker and there's no overspray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy k Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Well it does look nice, are you not going to actually use this forge? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SReynolds Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 I purchased mine painted. It was paint over rust and was blue and black. After I removed every nut and bolt, I removed every bit of paint, then the rust. I used high temp black for the forge. I too have much time as I then took the Champion blower apart to see what it's made of. That was fun,,,,,, not. I had found it in terriffic shape. I polished the castings, again, after removing all of that paint. It functions quite well and also serves as a decorative piece. I hope to buy another small forge very soon, of a different brand and perform same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob S Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? :o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utaholdiron Posted September 25, 2011 Author Share Posted September 25, 2011 I finished the outside of the forge pan today. The trickiest part was painting the "No 401" sign. I wanted to have the background of the sign red and the letters and numbers painted black, so it would really stand out. When the sign had dried for two day, after being painted red, I covered it with blue masking tape, the kind that doesn't stick super hard and is easy to remove. I pushed it around all the raised parts of the sign as close as I could. Next I traced around all those same raised parts with a ball point pen. This forced the tape even closer and tighter and provided an ink line to follow. Then, using a utility knife with a new blade, I carefully cut around all the raised parts. When the cut out sections were removed, I was ready to paint over the sign in black. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utaholdiron Posted September 25, 2011 Author Share Posted September 25, 2011 @ jeremy k............Probably not, I think it will end up being a decorative item in someones shop. I still have to "jazz up" the blower that goes with this forge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utaholdiron Posted September 25, 2011 Author Share Posted September 25, 2011 @ SReynolds...........Anyone who can dismantle a Champion blower has my respect! The blades and blade housing no problem, but the gearing tear down is a bit of a challenge for me. I helped do one this summer and they are tricky, to say the least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utaholdiron Posted September 25, 2011 Author Share Posted September 25, 2011 Bob S............The Shadow do!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 It is a very cool process you are showing to make the details show, and good to see a tool being preserved for the future instead of being used up. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric sprado Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 I guess I'm a bit confused about a blacksmith tool being made pretty but not to be used? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 I guess I'm a bit confused about a blacksmith tool being made pretty but not to be used? I am just rolling with it. What he is doing will not prevent it from being used in the future (a good thing) and will in fact preserve it against decay, and make it more likely that his heirs will see it as a useful thing instead of just more rust, so it is more likely to be passed on to a future generation. And he can still clay it and use it. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utaholdiron Posted September 25, 2011 Author Share Posted September 25, 2011 @Phil Krankowski...........I like the way you think. My problem is when I see a neat old piece of equipment I'm drawn to the inherent art and beauty in it as much as its utility. I also suspect younger people might be more interested in this particular item if it comes across as a little out of the ordinary. The blower that goes with the forge is fully functional and I'm hoping to dress it up as well. Thanks for your input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Dean Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 So, this forge is to be your end table in the living room right? It's looking great! I probably wouldn't have painted the inside of the table though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SReynolds Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 uhmmmm,,,I was supposed to CLAY this model of forge prior to USE????????????? What is the clay for? I forge metal with out clay.............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 The clay protects the steel pan and provides a firepot shape The thin sheet metal forges and thin cast iron forges suffer from having heat directly on the pan. Ash may build up and serve the same purpose, or I have this as a different type of forge and this does not need the clay. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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