Perrin Aybarra Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 I've got a firepit similar to this one (Sorry about the long link :) http://www.zoostores.com/shop/catalog/product/view/id/515324/s/landmann-short-copper-scroll-fire-pit-outdoor-fireplace.html?lp&cat=1289&utm_source=Google_Base&utm_medium=CSEs&utm_term=www.zoostores.com&utm_campaign=landmann-short-copper-scroll-fire-pit-outdoor-fireplace&utm_content=Outdoor%20Fireplaces&mr:trackingCode=C2C13BB6-07D7-E111-B638-BC305BEDE924&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=10620235383&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=20744709783&origin=pla If I used an old hair dryer or something to make it a side-draft forge, would that work? Or would it get too hot for the pit (it's made of copper, with a steel frame)? I've tried looking stuff up on this, but I'm still in doubt. Any help with this would be great! Thanks in advance! Perrin A side draft refers to the exhaust, a hair dryer wont help there, I think you are talking about a side blast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancellor Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 I would think it would be like using a Ferrari in a demolition derby. Its too easy to make a brake drum forge to use a a $250 firepit. As to the copper, It would probably melt, given the temperatures reached in a forge. Though I would think that you would be a blacksmith of sufficient caliber to know most of this already, Lord Perrin Goldeneyes. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 Dig a shallow hole and make a ground forge. Stack some bricks on the ground and make a ground forge. Make one of Glenn's 55 forges from a drum Take a heat resistant table and put some bricks on it to contain the fire and fuel Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clif Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Perrin, You can make a gas forge for under your $280. I second Phil, some fire brick and charcoal and an old hair dryier and your away for a few bob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Lodge Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Also, if the fire pit is a copper bowl it will probably melt when you get into forging temps. I'd look up the 55 gal drum forge or look at the photos of the show me your forge post. Alot of good forges built with scrap material. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perrin Aybarra Posted December 6, 2012 Author Share Posted December 6, 2012 Well, I asked this because when I originally asked my mom if I could build a forge, she said she'd like me to make one that looked nice so it could be like an outdoor firepit. She said if I built it, she'd pay for the materials. Four months later, I've heard not one word about it, even when I bring it up. I've got everything but a pit and some tongs, which I plan on practicing first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Private Entrance Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Build yourself a forge, and then use it to fabricate Mom a sweet firepit? I've seen few pics posted on here that are amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K. Bryan Morgan Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 A typical fire pit is going to be too large to forge in. In my opinion. Better to make a purpose built solid fuel forge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 I see where this is going. Cosmetics and yard clutter concern your mother. If you put a layer of sand in the bottom to take up space, then stack bricks on the sand to protect the vessel you can have the cosmetics your mother desires and the forge you desire. However using a $300 fire bowl is a little... See if you can find a less expensive decorative vessel. Going back to a ground forge, see if you can set up a low brick or wood framed "sandbox" forge, then cover it with pavers and a potted plant (or some other decorative element) when not in use and cooled down. Naturally maintaining a clean work space and cleaning up promptly will be paramount to maintaining this illusion. "If Mom ain't happy, ain't nobody happy" Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perrin Aybarra Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share Posted December 10, 2012 Turns out there was a miscommunication. She's fine with a big ol' drum forge! My dad says he's got some pipe about the size of 55 gallon drum that has 1/4 inch walls. Any suggestions for making a bottom and stand for this monster? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Lol, how long is it? If it's more than waist high just sink it in the ground. Set it up just about fist high and fill it in with dirt. Pain in the butt if they ever want to move it. Now you can just use it as an elevated ground forge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Without knowing your ablities and capacities, no I don't have ideas. I would build a rivet type forge using a hoop of the pipe. I would get pipe for legs from the local garage door place, since almost every replacement overhead door generates a scrap pipe. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perrin Aybarra Posted December 11, 2012 Author Share Posted December 11, 2012 Sorry. I forgot to add that my dad has a friend who is a metalworker and has made multiple things for me in the past. Would a bigger forge, with a hood and sides to block the wind be better? Not trying to say anything about your expertise at all. I just want to make sure I'm doing what'll work for me. He's cut things about that thickness with a torch for me before. Does any of that help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 The sky is the limit so to speak. What do you want? Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perrin Aybarra Posted December 11, 2012 Author Share Posted December 11, 2012 I've got an electric blower, so I'm thinking a bottom-blast forge large enough to eventually work on larger decorative items, but able to be used for smaller items as well. I'd like to be able to stick longer bars through so I've drawn out a sort of pizza oven opening with a big slot cut in the back to allow me to pass through. It's going to have to stay outside, so I also want to be able to cover the motor for the blower. I'd like a hood if you think it'd help with smoke. I've got a 6-foot fence, and quite a number of trees and houses provide sort of a wind block. Should I have A firepot sunk into the stand that I'm gonna make? What should I use as the base? My dad has said we could use pipe with some big fittings similar to the top right one on this page http://www.hiseamarine.com/pipe-fitting-1767.html to widen the base. anything I'm missing? A liner, perhaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 http://www.blksmth.com/mild_steel_firepot.htm I have one of these and I am building a 30x48 inch steel table to set it into. The table size is determined by the metal I have on hand. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancellor Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 You'll definitely want a flue if working with coal, especially with no wind. The stuff really messes with your breathing. Working with coke is even worse, I've found, though it doesn't put out any smoke. Of course, I'm an asthmatic, so that may make me a bit more mindful towards smoke and fumes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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