Hello all, New to the forum here!!!

I made a few knives back in the day (many moons ago) for friends and wanted to get back into the craft a few years ago. The knives were simple and primitive and made from some old found files and auto springs but had long wearing blades going for them.

I forgot most of anything learned way back then and took a basic blacksmithing course about 4 years ago to get started up in it again (wife thinks I’m nuts)! Anyway, I unfortunately sold a nice old forge and anvil last year due to a money situation we were going through, but things are starting to look better now as I recently scored a decent 170 LB anvil so I can start it all over again (LOL)!

The issue now is I need a functional and inexpensive forge to complete the transition back to hobby blacksmith/knife maker. I just picked up a 14" brake drum hub and need some ideas as to the best way to mount it to a base or stand? I was thinking (saw a picture) of a brake drum setup mounted on the top of what appears to be a 16 or 20 gal steel type drum. There's a section of it cutout so the pipes could be installed for the blower and also connected to the bottom of the firepot.

I do own a small 130 amp TIG / 90 amp arc welder and would like some thoughts if it's worth spending extra time & money constructing some type of heavier base or stand for it?

I'm only going to be making (for now) some small hunting type file/auto coil spring knives and think I want to have a small enough forge to keep the coal consumption down though I'm not really sure if that's really practical to do? However, I do plan to upgrade to a bigger and better type forge down the road as my finances permit, but for now I just need something to get me going at this again!

Thanks!!!

The link, and the answer to your question, is directly above your post! http://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/20370-the-55-forge-blueprints/

It should be fine for your needs. When you decide to work bigger projects you can always upgrade it as needed.

Anything that will hold it is fine. I placed my brake drum forge on an old rusted out BBQ I got for free. ( search Cheapskate Forge on here) the base doesn't matter so much. Your air source and tuyere are a LOT more important.

Just a thought...see if you can find coal in your area!

I want to "THANK" all for the fast replies!

I have a local blacksmith shop not far from me and I can get top quality coal at 50lbs for $17.00 a bag! :)
Since I'm located in PA there's no shortage of good grade stuff here!!!

Thanks again!

My brake drum forge used the base of a work stool that happened to hold it just fine. I put in a fence to make the firepot deeper and it was my major billet welder for several years even though it cost less than US$25 *total*.