BackyardBlacksmithin Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 I finally finished my new coal forge and it turned out awesome, just fired it up for the first time today. Champion Forge 400 blower and a centaur forge firepot. Holy cow I don't miss my old brake drum forge.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marksnagel Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 That is one sweet forge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Beautiful job!!! Let us know how it works out. I would be interested in the slots on the sides. I had slots on my portable forge very similar to yours (except it is a brake drum model) and I kept knocking and accidentally raking coal out the slots, probably wasted nearly as much as I used!! Finally, I welded a bar across the opening to keep my coal onboard and now it's much better. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Very professionally done! I like the size and how you joined the blower to it. I'm thinking you'll like how the firepot acts compared to a brake drum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BackyardBlacksmithin Posted September 22, 2013 Author Share Posted September 22, 2013 I fired it up earlier today for a few hours and it worked great, I made the cut out for longer pieces and there seems to be enough distance between the edge of the firepot and the edge of the table area where I didn't have any problem loosing coal off the sides. I have been using my propane forge I built a while back and haven't used coal much at all lately. But I went and took some lessons and the guy used a forge very similar to the one I ended up building. I really enjoyed using his forge so here we are... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Marti Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Nice forge man! Get to using it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Man, that's a slick looking forge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backwoods Blacksmith Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Andy, That turned out great. Looks good and a neat way to mount the blower. I have been using coke more than coal the last few days. I think I like it better. A lot less work on fire control. If I am going to leave the fire for a while I put a hand full of coal on top. This helps me to restart if the coke dies down. I also like the coke better for welding. Be safe and have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BackyardBlacksmithin Posted September 22, 2013 Author Share Posted September 22, 2013 Hey gene thanks, I just ordered a bunch of coal from that guy in beavercreek you told me about. going to pick it up on my way to portland next week for the demo Im doing. I was going to order some coke too but he does not have any down there, so figure I will get some whenever I order again. And thanks for the tip about the coke, I will have to try that. After I get through hunting season next month I wanna get down there again and see if we cant work on a few projects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old South Creations Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Nice job...that's a great looking forge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BackyardBlacksmithin Posted September 23, 2013 Author Share Posted September 23, 2013 Thanks everybody, i do think Im going to replace the wheels or at least the wheel bearings. There a but rougher than I initially thought... Its heavy enough that I think the old lawn mower wheels and bearings are not quite enough. And im also going to add a plate on the bottom to hold the bucket to catch the ashes and also put a bit more weight toward the front end. Its a little too balanced on the wheels, wants to flip back when your pushing it around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 You've got the forge, so forge some big wheels! I could see that beauty with some 20" rims, the circumference being made from 1.25"x.25", use a weldable stand-off/bushing as the hub and run some spokes off of it. Remember to make the spokes non-straight so they have character. A nice s-curve would look super sexy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BackyardBlacksmithin Posted September 23, 2013 Author Share Posted September 23, 2013 Hmm..... not a bad idea. Never thought to make my own wheels. Now where would I get some weldable bushings/hubs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petere76 Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Great job! Very functional and it looks well made. Have at it. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 Thanks everybody, i do think Im going to replace the wheels or at least the wheel bearings. There a but rougher than I initially thought... Its heavy enough that I think the old lawn mower wheels and bearings are not quite enough. And im also going to add a plate on the bottom to hold the bucket to catch the ashes and also put a bit more weight toward the front end. Its a little too balanced on the wheels, wants to flip back when your pushing it around. Backyard... I had the same problem on my portable forge. I originally had 6" steel lawnmower wheels on it, but trying to move it through gravel was a PITA. I got some 10" steel wheels, 1/2" ball bearings at amazon. Best price I had found searching around. They work great now. Only problem is they are white...funky looking. Will paint them black. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VOED5S/ref=pe_385040_30332200_pe_309540_26725410_item Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BackyardBlacksmithin Posted September 24, 2013 Author Share Posted September 24, 2013 Ya I saw a few of those type of wheels at the scrap yard last time I was there, might have to go back and get them.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 I'd use a large nut and bore out the threads. Looks good and gives you a number of flats to weld spokes to. Making the hoop for the tyre would be a job, but imagine the satisfaction of seeing her roll on home-made wheels! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BackyardBlacksmithin Posted September 24, 2013 Author Share Posted September 24, 2013 Thats not a bad idea either... Yes that would be quite the job but then again, all of us on this forum are not always know for taking the easy way out ;) That would be a great conversation piece when im using the forge at demo's too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 Easy enough to make a swing away bar to block the gaps when not needed and alow them to work when needed. I have a variation that I leave in place but popped up a little when I need to go under it so it will sweep the coal off the top of a bar as it's being drawn out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BackyardBlacksmithin Posted September 24, 2013 Author Share Posted September 24, 2013 Do you have a picture of that? is it on a pivot horizontally on the top of the piece of plate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 Don't forget the spinner rims on those wheels! Just don't make it a low-rider - that's bad on the back after a day's forging! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BackyardBlacksmithin Posted September 25, 2013 Author Share Posted September 25, 2013 maybe after I'm done with them I can send them out for chrome plating too ha! And I have a bad back as it is, don't need to make it any worse... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randyrob1 Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Hi Andy, I tried to find you through Etsy, but couldn't seem to get a link to you. You made me a persian rug holding rack a year or so ago and I need another. I have sketched this up and would love to talk. Reply and we can figure out how to share information. I couldn't track you down any other way. Thanks. Randy By the way, if you still have my phone number or email address, call me. I couldn't find your number Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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