Stryker8 Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 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!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimsShip Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCornett Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 Just a thought...see if you can find coal in your area! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stryker8 Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 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*. 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.