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....

That is one sweet forge! 

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. :)

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.

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...

Nice forge man! Get to using it!

Man, that's a slick looking forge!

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.

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.

^{Nice job...that's a great looking forge!}

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.

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!

Hmm..... not a bad idea. Never thought to make my own wheels. Now where would I get some weldable bushings/hubs?

Great job! Very functional and it looks well made. Have at it.

Peter

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

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....

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!

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.

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

Do you have a picture of that? is it on a pivot horizontally on the top of the piece of plate?

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!

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...

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