jmcquirt Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 This is a charcoal forge made from a washtub with a drilled black steel pipe running through the middle. The sides are adobe (cat litter clay, sand and wood ash). The air supply is my sister-in-law's old hair dryer hooked up to a speed controller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Private Entrance Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 I like the length of it. I'm using a brake drum forge and it works best on shorter stuff. I wouldn't mind being able to heat longer pieces of stock. Yours is pretty sweet. Do you have any issues with the duct tape holding the hair dryer on getting hot? I considered doing that for mine, but need to be able to take the hair dryer off fairly readily. It makes getting the forge back into the garage easier when I'm done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marksnagel Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 I think you did a really good job on your first forge. Welcome to IFI. The only thing that would concern me, and I am sure you may hear this again, is the chance that excessive heat may be transferred to the galvanised wash basin. I get a little worried whenever I see anything galvanised that may come in contact with fire. Heavy metal poisoning is deadly serious. Don't take what I say wrong please. I think you did a great job on the forge and I hope you are able to create a lot of great things but safety is one of my top concerns. Where are you located? You can put your general location in your profile. Other blacksmiths may be in your area. Mark <>< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyGeorge Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 First, welcome to IFI. The forge looks like it will work just fine, to start. I think that the Adobe that you lined it with will help insulate the galvanize from the heat. Just be careful. As Mark said, galvanize is some BAD STUFF when burned. I look forward to seeing some of your work that you do with this forge. Post lots of pics. We like pics. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmcquirt Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 I had the same concern about the galvanized tub. The tub is lined with adobe below the tuyere and slopes up the sides to the top of the tub. The adobe also covers the last 3" of the tuyere completely on both ends. It insulates well. After forging all day, I can touch the black pipe that runs outside the forging area. I have no problems with the duct tape or the dryer melting. There is also a thin strip of steel taped under the external pipe and the dryer for support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted T Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 I have no question that your HOOKED! We are fortunate that we have people (members) who care enough to make you aware of issues just in case you were not. We get healthy "Point and counter Point" views about any given topic, which has made I Forge Iron the high quality site that it is. Again, action speaks louder than words and you have spoke volumes by your actions and getting it done! I am sure we will see more about you and your work as time goes by! With my best! Ted Throckmorton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmcquirt Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 Private Entrance, I forgot to address part of your question regarding portability/storage. The tuyere is an 18" black steel pipe with an end cap on one side and a coupling on the other. There is a second 18" pipe taped to the dryer and hand tightened to the coupling. Rather than removing the tape, I unscrew that part from the forge. The forge is heavy, so I leave it covered out back and store the dryer assembly in the garage. It is essentially the design from Tim Lively's website, www.timlivelyknives.com/washtubforge.htm . Thanks for the encouragement Ted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unforgivun Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Welcome to IFI jmc. I like the forge! I honestly probably would never have tried to build one in a galvanized tub, but like all the others have said it certainly does appear to be well insulated. When do we get to see the first forgings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Private Entrance Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 J, thanks for the reply. I didn't see the coupling on the pipe until you said there was one there. Doh! The hairdryer you're using looks almost exactly like mine now that I look at everything closer. I want to get my forge built onto a real frame at some point. One with wheels. The forge ain't real heavy (maybe 20# or so) but I wouldn't mind NOT carrying it into the garage when I'm done. Rolling is so much more pleasant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 J, you have a great set up and I'm looking forward to pics of your work! Where did you find a speed controller like that? I've never seen one, but would love to have one for my next forge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCornett Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 Not to beat a dead horse but as far as the galvanized tub, I think you are fine as long as you watch the exterior of your tub. If it ever looks more like your charcoal chimney than your trash can next to it then walk away. Ok nuff said. I wish I had seen yours before I made mine, You have definitely shown another way to do it and that just means more ideas for me to steal for my own. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Conner Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 I've always been a bit skiddish about heat and anything that's galvanized. If you smell anything that is unfamiliar, get away from it. I honestly think you're safe enough, the only place to watch is the very top. But I must say I'm envious of the size, I'm compelled to go build one myself now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Nice forge! I love home made stuff!! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samsland13 Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Great forge man, I never would have thought of that combination of materials to make the adobe. And thanks to the guys who replied about the Hazards of the galvanized tub, that is what i used to make mine. I look forward to seeing your success. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 *LOTS* of folks in the neo-tribal metalsmithing movement use the Tim Lively washtub forge design with the cheap kitty litter adobe mix. It's specifically designed for using charcoal and for knives and for getting folks with squat in the way of tools started smithing. N.B. I'm still a moderator at the old Primal Fires Neo-Tribal metalworking site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azur Jahić Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 do you use hairdyer yet because thay get overheated when you working on forge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigcity Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Azur when useing a hairdryer you need to disable the heating element so the hairdryer does not overheat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azur Jahić Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 you mean on the switch or on te wire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigcity Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 some hairdryers have a switch to turn the heat off. You could disable the heat by take the heating element out but im not sure how to do that and still have a working hairdryer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.