Justin Keller Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 This should be a simple one for everyone to answer... I bought a small forge, but the tuyeer is not connected to the blower. What should I use to connect the two? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don A Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Many folks will use the flexible metal pipe you get for venting a clothes dryer. It's mostly 4" diameter, but you can crimp and fold the ends to fit smaller openings. This is what I am currently using. It's ugly, but it works. You will have to improvise to get a tight fit. For a permanent solution, I am planning to weld up a short section of pipe to a plate to fit the bolt pattern of my tuyere. I hope to weld a necked-down section to fit the blower, and possibly and air-gate in the middle. Also consider that once your metal pipe is far enough from the fire that the heat doesn't travel, you can adapt to PVC if you need some inexpensive versatility. Anything to get the air to the fire. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacksmith Jim Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Clothes dryer vent, worm drive hose clamps and duct tape. Last week my vent blew off of my fan. Too much back pressure I guess. I wondered if I made a mistake with the duct tape etc, but it only took 10 minutes to duct tape it all back together and it is now working fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jose Gomez Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 In the past, when the situation required a more heavy duty solution, I have had good luck using flexible exhaust piping (for automobiles) and band clamps. They are heavy enough to take quite a bit of heat, come in a variety of diameters, and are relatively easy to locate in auto parts stores, muffler shoppes, and junkyards (the flex pipe normally conects the motor to the exhaust system on most small cars). Hope this helps!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike-hr Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Scrap driveshaft tube measures on the O.D., so 3 inch flex exhaust piping fits over 3 inch driveshaft tube real nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 I also use automotive pre heater hose to move the air from the squirrel cage blower to the piping under the forge. I make the connection with duct tape, it holds up just fine in my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdalcher Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 I also use aluminum dryer vent and I created a reducer out of 14inch aluminum flashing to neck down into my tueyer. This allows a snug friction fit that I can pull with minimal effort when I hook up my electric blower. It took about 10 minutes to roll it and pop rivet it. Thanks Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronPuppet Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Here is what I did. I got the tap at a junk store for $2 and found the pipe in the scrap pile. Air is supplied with an old vacuum set to blow. Note the improved ash dump, much easier, thanks to Irnsrgn. My fire pot is so big because I burn wood. Coal fire pots are much smaller. the fuel you are going to use determine the size of the fire pot. Christopher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simmonds Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 My local hardware has 3 inch aluminum flex dryer vent hose as well as the 4 inch. I am currently using the 3 inch. It was a little tight fitting over the blower. This works very well but it is ugly and does not seem very durable. I think I will be checking out the auto parts flex exhaust pipe option soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryCarroll Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Puppet, Using a tap to regulate air flow has to be an original idea. Good thinking! I have some 2-3-4" brass butterfly valves that probably will work a little easier. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandoro Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 well if you are still wondering. I had a fan blower with the spout shaped like a 2x6 rectangle. If that makes and sense. Pipe is always round so I had to figure something out. Well I have a shop vac with alort of fitting for the hose and I have a fitting that goes from round to about that shape. It is now what I use. I know plastics are a no-no, but its works right now, I dont see why not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty_iron Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Gday all I tried the gate valve (tap) idea and found it too slow. Yes you have very fine control over the airflow, but you can't instantly cut the airflow to the forge as you step away, it takes time to twist the tap closed. Perhaps a ball-valve might be a better option here. I'm updating a forge at the moment - yes it has the gate valve - and instead of building a sliding airgate I purchased one from a woodworking supply house. They come in standard 3", 4", 5" & 6", I also found a 2"to2.5" on the shelf which was not listed in the catalogue. You can get them in plastic, aluminum & 20-gauge steel. I found mine in the JET catalogue under dust collection and it cost a whole AUD$15, heres a link to their online catalogue:JET Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Keller Posted August 4, 2007 Author Share Posted August 4, 2007 The biggest problem for me seems to be the fact that there isn't a very large gap between the two, and it's hard to find something so small to connect them. Also, do you think there's enough space for ash, or should I weld some pipe on the bottom before attaching my ash dump? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayco Posted August 5, 2007 Share Posted August 5, 2007 Hello jkeller...Is the connecting pipe supposed to help support the blower? I have a blower of about the same model, but mine is leg mounted.That one little bolt supporting the blower.....is it enough? These old blowers are made from cast iron and kinda fragile. Wouldn't want it to fall and BREAK! I don't know the design of these kind of forges,but lots of guys on this site know about them. If the mounting for your blower is o k,you might just use a soup can or two with the ends cut out for piping....tin snips,even duct tape will work a foot or so away from the forge. Good LUCK! James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Keller Posted August 6, 2007 Author Share Posted August 6, 2007 I think the pipe is supposed to help support, there is a threaded hole close to the blower end, I think it's to bolt the pipe to the forge for support. The bolt the blower hangs off of is maybe 3/8, I think I'll try to fit a heavier bolt in there. Just finished welding on the clinker breaker, just have to manufacture an ash dump and I'm set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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