kayakersteve Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Well, this is the finished product of my first solid fuel forge. Here are a few pics and am looking for constructive criticism as I am still learning. It seems to work great and I can heat steel very quickly when it's hot. Want to upgrade to a real forge blower, but can't afford yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Well how does it work? If it works well then it's GREAT; if it doesn't then.... One change I would recommend: it looks like your ash dump is a screw on. Over time this becomes more of a pain making one that swivels or has a counter weighted cover will help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Very good for a first forge! It looks like you've got all the basics down, don't worry about the blower, one will find it way into your line of sight before you know it. There's very little that's "junk" to a blacksmith. Have to agree with Mr Powers about the ash dump. Screw on will have to be cut off before too long as it rusts/heats/cools in place. Easier than a sliding or counterweighted ash dump is an open ended pipe that sits in a bucket of water under the forge. Doesn't let air thru, ash sinks to the bottom and anything burning is immediately extinguished. You're off to a very good start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayakersteve Posted December 17, 2012 Author Share Posted December 17, 2012 Good idea on the ash dump - I have been thinking about that. The cap still screws easily by hand, but I can see that changing over time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhardy501 Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 Very nice, looking at it from the stand point of a total newb. I hope to have mine up and running soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fe-Wood Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 Same comments as above, great work! About that blower... All a blower is, is a fan with a motor.... Yours has the bonus grill to keep flies out... I wouldn't change it until it burns out, myself. I might add a air gate instead of the dimmer switch... Might make the blower last longer. Oh, one last thing- Turn over your horse shoe so the luck don't run out..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 Oh, one last thing- Turn over your horse shoe so the luck don't run out..... He has the horseshoe right, the luck is running onto his work! Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K. Bryan Morgan Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 I've been using a dimmer switch on a cheap shop vac in sub 0 temps for over 3 years. Shop vac and dimmer switch are fine. Last winter we got down to -79F. I just want to point out that I was NOT forging at that temp. I love blacksmithing. But there are limits as to how cold I will go out to the shop. :huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewayforge Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 Good forge, good design. How deep is the firepot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayakersteve Posted December 19, 2012 Author Share Posted December 19, 2012 firepot is 4" steel, but on a slight angle, so effectively is probably around 3 1/2 " deep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eco redneck Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 Well, this is the finished product of my first solid fuel forge. Here are a few pics and am looking for constructive criticism as I am still learning. It seems to work great and I can heat steel very quickly when it's hot. Want to upgrade to a real forge blower, but can't afford yet. that is one darn good first forge mine was a brake drum on a bbq stand it worked but I wanted some thing better very good job forge on tristan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThorsHammer82 Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 I did the counter weight dump. as it seemed to me to be the quickest and easiest option since I wasn't using threaded pipe. that and I like the idea of allowing it to slam shut acting as a slight clinker breaker. and it can be used when you're still burning if you need too which is also nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davidrw70 Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 Since I was using threaded pipe that I had on hand I just used a matching flange and bolted and piece of scrap 18 ga.(?) that I cut out and then welded an old socket driver and spare socket as a swivel ash dump. It's gonna be a while before I can get it all built but I am piecing it together a little bit at a time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 "Oh, one last thing- Turn over your horse shoe so the luck don't run out....." Blacksmiths are the only ones allowed to have the "inverted" horseshoe. (I'm sure it's a federal law) The only curiosity I see is that it appears that half of the fire is actually inside the hood. Generally, you want the firepot outside of the hood and the smoke gets pulled in. Not a huge problem, though..... What did you make the thing out of? Looks like some thick stock for the table, and I'm betting that it will last for a few hundred years, at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Since I was using threaded pipe that I had on hand I just used a matching flange and bolted and piece of scrap 18 ga.(?) that I cut out and then welded an old socket driver and spare socket as a swivel ash dump. It's gonna be a while before I can get it all built but I am piecing it together a little bit at a time. I like the pipe flange idea instead of something welded or tacked onto the side and end of a pipe. I have to wheel my brake drum forge outside my wooden shop, and that looks more stable. BTW, "soon to be Arkansas location"...you're gonna love Arkansas :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davidrw70 Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 I like the pipe flange idea instead of something welded or tacked onto the side and end of a pipe. I have to wheel my brake drum forge outside my wooden shop, and that looks more stable. BTW, "soon to be Arkansas location"...you're gonna love Arkansas :) Gonna be in the Baxter County area! Be about a year before I liver there full time......Working in TX to pay it off before I get there.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Some one posted an exhaust stack cap adapted with a counterweight, simple cheap and quick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Gonna be in the Baxter County area! Be about a year before I liver there full time......Working in TX to pay it off before I get there.... Nice area! When you get up here, check out the BOA, Blacksmith Organization of Arkansas. They have members scattered across NW AR and S. MO. Some members are in the Mountain Home, Flippin area near where you will be. Great group of smiths. I just got started in trying to learn about blacksmithing a couple of months ago; finally finished my forge, got an anvil, have tools, eager to learn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThorsHammer82 Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 I like the pipe flange idea instead of something welded or tacked onto the side and end of a pipe. I have to wheel my brake drum forge outside my wooden shop, and that looks more stable. BTW, "soon to be Arkansas location"...you're gonna love Arkansas :) Wait a minute.... Don't you weld? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Wait a minute.... Don't you weld? Yep..."shortfuse" over on Welding Web. :) We've been talking about your forge over there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old South Creations Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Looks great. If it were me I would put the stock in front the side rather than the front...unless of course you only plan to make small items...just my preference. I used a screw on cap on my first forge as a ash dump and I welded a small handle onto it...a LOT easier to turn when it did get stuck. On my latest forge I have an exhaust flapper with a counter weight (RR spike)...I like it a lot better. And, as already mentioned, your horseshoe is oriented correctly! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devins Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 I just welded more weight onto my exhaust stack shield, super easy and you can make your extra weight an extension for easier reach, just buy the size that will fit your pipe. Great looking set up. I didn't know about the hood and how much you want it to cover so I am glad to see people's input. I hope to convert my brakedrum soon. I have everything but the sheet metal and every time I am in buying steel I price it and think I will head to the scrapyard. :D 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.