Need advice on round or rectangular fire pots. The round seem to be less expensive. Currently use a friends forge with a rectangle. However, building my own forge which will be based on the round bottom of an old boiler tank. I could see building the round fir pot into a square duck nest with clay if there is an advantage to the corners. Thoughts appreciated

I just got on here to ask the same question.some fellers built me a round one in the early 70's using a split-rim truck rim,truck differential cap and a buffalo forge blower and the cast iron bottom from an old forge from a ranch I was raised on.I loaned it to my Dad a few years before he passed and I don't think I will be able to get it back.I am capable of building my own.cut ,weld mud what ever.which is handier,square or round? Me an Abeck are needin the same help.an you fellers seem to be the best around to ask.thanks

i use a rotor with the e brake drum off of a f350 for a firepot it works for me although i have not used a rectangular one yet here is a pic

i have used both and i prefer the square, it is easyer to manage the fire and if you decide to build, square is simpler
Josh

Sq is not necessarily simpler. I made my round one from the axle covers from a banjo rear end. Bought a set of them made into jack stands for $3 at a fleamarket dropped it in and was DONE---about the time you got your welding leathers on...Sill using the first one 25 years later, second one is a "spare"

I'd go with what you have to hand and see if it fits your needs. Corners have no special value that I have found in 30+ years of smithing. If you have to fabricate it from ground zero they are easier to weld and often Sq ones can have extra depth to them. NOT KNOWING HOW YOU PLAN TO USE YOUR FORGE it's all just a guess anyway.