David Gaddis Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Building my first forge and using charcoal until I get my supply of coal. I got this 4150 1.5in dia shaft hot in short order. The air control is a coffee lid covering the air inlet. The fan will be remounted vertical soon. The tyre is 4in pipe and the fire box is welded 3/16 steel. A replacement will come when this one burns out. No tools as of yet, except shop hammers, post vice, anvil, etc. Plans are to build all my necessary items as I need them. The hardie hole is 2.25 in an imported cheaper anvil. Still looking for a good 200 lb one that I can afford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Browne Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 That's a serious firepot you welded up there Should be good for many years. If I were you I would really get onto finding some coal or lump charcoal as they are much better than the BBQ beads in the photo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FieryFurnace Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 The firepot is a little light at 3/16-inch, but use it till it falls out and then replace it. Next time go with 3/8-inch or thicker. Preferably 1/2-3/4-inch plate. The construction of the pot looks good though. The forge looks great and looks like it's working for you. When you are managing your fire, pile the burning material up and lay the stock flat across the firepot, or just slightly down into the pot. Jambing it down as deep as you have it there, isn't a good habit to develop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Gaddis Posted January 25, 2012 Author Share Posted January 25, 2012 Thanks for the info, as I am new at this form of work. The rod I was using was longer than the shelf for the forge so it was place at a diagonal position. This was the first thing for me to put into the fire and it was too big for me to handle properly. With re-shaping it became the base for a cut-off hardy, my first tool to build. Hope to acquire coal in a few days as the charcoal does not go very far. And of course I will use bigger metal if I use this one to destruction. Thanks for the info, yall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWHII Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Looks like it is working well. Nice job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old South Creations Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Looks really good. You'll be a lot happier when you get your coal. I used bbq briquetts the first few times when I built my forge (because I didn't have coal and didn't know about REAL charcoal). You'll see a BIG difference when you get your coal! Keep at it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bajajoaquin Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Looks like you made your fire poker out of a Harbor Freight pry bar. Since I got my set of three for like $9 using one with a handle to make a poker is a pretty good idea! Nice forge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Gaddis Posted January 27, 2012 Author Share Posted January 27, 2012 Everything I have done so far has been with good intentions...but mixed results. Yesterday I used some coke from a project 25 years ago. Since I know nothing there is ALL to learn. Well the coke idea was a bust! Maybe too large or too something...never could get it going really good. The pieces I had were about grapefruit size so I reduced them with a hammer. Still not good enough. Then I opened the holes in the tuyre / firebox...still no good. Hopefully I will get coal this afternoon or tomorrow. I am building all of my tools, I think. Not good enough heat for the metal yet...unless inside the shop with oxy/acet or welders. This week has been busy...forge..hardy tools:cutoff, spring fuller, spring swage 1/2in, multi-position bender forks, 1in swage block...weather will be cool this weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 David, what kind of background do you have in forging? Read any good books? Taken any classes? Joined www.msforgecouncil.com ? Find any nearby smiths that can share some info with you? The more of these sources you use the easier it will all be for you. This is a very helpful forum, but you need one on one, in person training to make it flow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Gaddis Posted January 30, 2012 Author Share Posted January 30, 2012 Well. I got some coal last Sat after heving some one-on-one instruction by a leader in the Mississippi Forge Council...Mr. Jim Piggott. He spent quite a bit of time with me from starting coal fot the first time to forge welding. Of course there was lots of instruction about hammer and control, forge bends, tapers, scrolling and more. I had joined the Ms Forge Council on the last meeting a few weeks ago so getting my coal right after completing the forge was right on time. Ms Forge Council now boasts about 250 members I am told. If everyone is as nice as Jim Piggott then this should be a neat group to be involved with. I was also informed they (Ms Forge Council) has artisans in copper and bronze and glass and others things. Check 'em out. I came back home and fueled my forge as per instructions. That was Sat evening and this is Monday am...my arms feel like butter. Two years behind the desk has ruined me! Previously I had a lot of experience with heavy metal..trackhoes, backhoes, dozers, tractor and stuff... I even had experience from baby buggies to broken hearts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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