metal99 Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 A few days ago my dad called me and told me about a nice champion "rivet" style forge that he got from a friend if his. I went there today to check it out and wow! It was like new! The nice little blower was almost silent when cranked and other then a little surface rust in the basin it was in amazing shape. I brought along two blades that I had to heat treat so we could test out the forge. After about half an hour we had a really nice fire going about 15" in diameter. I stuck the first knife onto the "cave" and began turning the blower slowly. It was about a minute later and BANG!!! The basin violently cracked from the middle right to the edge... I was so upset when I heard that. When it cracked it even sheared the bolts off that held the duck/ash dump to the basin so that fell to the ground and hot coal went flying... What would cause this to happen? Does it just happen or did I cause this by building such a big fire so soon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Did you clay it? Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal99 Posted September 24, 2012 Author Share Posted September 24, 2012 No I didn't :( I feel so bad for this little forge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SReynolds Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 I make a steel plate (1/4" thick) with an air grate incorperated. Thata way I build the fire on that and can pull it out. I don't like to hear about the fuss some have to put up with to clay the pan. I wonder if the new store bought cast iron fire pots must be lined with clay prior to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Fire pots are a whole lot thicker than the pan on a rivet forges. When cast iron is only a 1/4" thick, differential heating can cause it to crack rather easily. Combine that with stresses in the metal from being banged around over the years and it's a recipe for disaster. The good news is that it can be fixed and clayed for future use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal99 Posted September 25, 2012 Author Share Posted September 25, 2012 It's definatly not a write off thats for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Drill a small hole at the end of the crack,,that may stop it at that point. Drill a pair of holes across from each other so youi can bolt on a metal strap for strength do this every two or three inches. When youi buil a fire build it small in the center and leave it going for a while to let the metal heat evenly,, class a fire,,wood or paper will do,,then slowly add fuel and develop a fire to forge. Bolt things back together and good to go... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cvmikeray Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Go get fire bricks (Yellow) the thin ones. Lay them around the bottom and lean a few around the sides. Leave the center area open for the air flow. Worked like a champ for mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 I had an old cast iron forge that I used for years without claying; however the first fire after a particularly hard winter it went kerpow and cracked. I put in a mending plate and carried on for some more years. I ended up building my own forge using sheet metal so I didn't have the weight of the big old one and didn't have to worry about possible cracking issues later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal99 Posted September 30, 2012 Author Share Posted September 30, 2012 Thanks for all the advice you guys. My dad fixed it up and did what Rich Hale suggested. It looks like a pretty strong repair so I think it will be good. I will make sure I build a small fire in it to pre heat everything first. Thanks again everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimsShip Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 It's nice that you'll have this forge, as well as the great experience with your Dad for years to come! Crackpot Forge lives on! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal99 Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 You just made me laugh man "crackpot forge" that's awesome. Me and dad really enjoy it and my 7 year old son is starting to show some interest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal99 Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 Here is a picture of the forge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimsShip Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 What's that one in the back?? I like the size of that pan better.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal99 Posted October 2, 2012 Author Share Posted October 2, 2012 Jim, the one in the back is a Canadian forge co. It works on but we get a bigger fire from the little champoin. The fire pot and ash dump are extremely rotten and the blower sounds like a freight train running with square wheels. It's ready for retirement lol. I might be getting a champoin forge the same size as that Canadian and I found a nice 150 lb anvil that I might pick up. The old guy paid five bucks for the anvil and he's not sure if he wants to get rid of it or not but he said he only wants what he paid for it. Ill give him more if he does decide to sell it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal99 Posted October 2, 2012 Author Share Posted October 2, 2012 If you look on the right side of the forge in the background that's my knife forge that I made its 18" long and 5-1/2" deep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon Renaud Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Here is a picture of the forge.Do yourself a favor and add an adjustable leg under that blower arm>I have 2 forge pans that cracked and they both had the blower mount like this!.I think that arm puts a lot of stress on part of the pan. I found them to also be very tippy. I added a telescoping leg under the blower by making a "C" clamp from 1/4x1 flat stock then welding a section of 3/4 pipe to that with a section of 3/4 round bar that could slide inside.I drilled and taped the pipe for a thumb screw.I moved that forge around outdoors a lot so wanted the leg adjustable for uneven ground. The first forge I got with the crack. The second forge cracked when I was using it (Didn't know about claying them then) both of them cracked in the same place as yours!That's why I think that blower mount creates the stress that caused the cracks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal99 Posted November 26, 2012 Author Share Posted November 26, 2012 Ahhhhhh you, know that makes a lot of sense. That blower isn't exactly light and it mounts almost straight across from that crack. I will be using your idea that's for sure. Thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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