I'm looking into building a forge, is it possible to build a forge using a tuyere, and fire brick as the firepot? Or do I need the cast parts?

Yes it is possible and it will work well for a wile. The problem is it will not last that long. The clinker wile semi-molten will adhere to the fire brick. Also most fire brick is not made to withstand the heat of a coal fire so its service life will be short. If you have no other options go for it. If you keep a layer of ash between the fire and the brick you will do better. You can just use a piece of iron pipe as your blast pipe as it burns away feed more in.

I was looking inot it as an option. I'm doodling up some designs for a homeade forge. I'm thinking 32 X 48, with a 4 inch lip around the edge, fire pot, and tuyere. Should I go with an electric intake blower, or a hand crank? Or go find a true electric forge blower?

For production work a electric positive pressure blower is a must. A good hand crank blower is a good option because requires no power and gives you good control. I have used and like both. I would shy away from other options if you intend to do serious work.

Alright, I'm gonna see if my teacher will let me put the plans into the plasma table programs to see how much $ it'll cast me to ge thsi thing together

Cast iron skillets make a good (cheap!) fire pot. Try to find the deepest one possible.

Cast iron skillets make a good (cheap!) fire pot. Try to find the deepest one possible.

bean pot maybe? About 4 inches deep from the rim to the top of the grate is a good place to be.

Phil

I started with an electric blower and then went to a good hand crank blower as I loved the control. Then I built a well engineered double lunged bellows and switched to using that for a decade as I preferred it to even the hand crank.

When I moved I gave it away as it was time to build another one and with that one to hand I'd always be just repairing it. With the trouble getting coal as good as what I had access to in OH I'm mainly using an aspirated propane forge these days.

What is best for you is what is best for *YOU*!

I can get coal cheaper that propane, I'd have to get 2,000lbs to get it cheap, but its metalutgical coal. The teacher said for me to draw up some plans, and we'd figure this thing out.

Wait wait wait.....can you seriously use a cast iron camp skillet as a firepot? I mean I can't think of a reason why you couldn't, but... well I don't know. Sounds awesome really.

i have used old cast iron water bowls out of our barn as they get damaged to made a few fire pots they are a nice shape and depending on the kind even have some spots for attaching hardware to them

Bean pot or dutch oven? Heck if we are looking at low cost readily available cast iron, why not?

Phil

Wait wait wait.....can you seriously use a cast iron camp skillet as a firepot? I mean I can't think of a reason why you couldn't, but... well I don't know. Sounds awesome really.

That is what I use. Mine is a 9" and the size is ok, but it is a little shallow. As Phil says, a bean pot looks about the right shape, a small dutch oven should work, and the water bowls ( I have never seen one until I googled it) looks perfect. Check out the local re-sale shop ( goodwill )

I have a feeler out for some scrap 1/2 inch plate to make a fire pot out of...I will live with my two stacked brake drums for now. They are only 8x2 inch drums off a Cavalier and the bottom one is clayed to make it cleanable. I might strap it to the bottom of the table.

The test fire was amusing because it clinkered up in a sheet at the joint between the two drums, I had to take them apart to clean the rather durable clinker.

Phil

Bean pot or dutch oven? Heck if we are looking at low cost readily available cast iron, why not? Phil

Two words, MY WIFE, she collects cast iron cookware. If I used a dutch oven or bean pot for a forge I would be cooking my own meals for at least a year. YUCK!