wanderer50 Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Hello everyone I have a brake drum forge and I want to put a chimney on it so I don't breath the coal smoke. My idea was to use an aluminum milk can with my forge bolted to the bottom and a piece of stove pipe on the top. What I was wondering is if the aluminum would melt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Aluminum melts at about 1200 deg. But it reflects 98-99% of the radiant heat and conducts heat much better than steel. I wouldn't touch the fire pot directly with it but it may very well work. Standard 8" pipe will be a bit small tho. The normal recomandation is 12". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fe-Wood Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 I use a chunk of 10" aluminum irrigation pipe about 7' long as a side draft on my portable forge. Works really well to pull smoke away. The inlet cut into the side is about 80% of the opening size of the pipe. I cut it as a round top window and pushed the flap back into the pipe to act as a shelf of sorts. It amazes people all the time, how well it works! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanderer50 Posted October 12, 2013 Author Share Posted October 12, 2013 Mr. Stevens how would you attach it if you couldn't touch the fire pot? Fe-wood how far away is your chimney from the fire I couldn't really tell from your picture. I am going to try to put up some pictures when I take some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Lets see what we're working with. At first blush if hang it free floating. And slide the forge pot in up close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanderer50 Posted October 12, 2013 Author Share Posted October 12, 2013 http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/37740-forge-003/ http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/37739-forge-002/ http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/37738-forge-001/ Those are two pictures of my forge right now and one with the milk can sitting on top. When I attached the can I was going to take to table off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Small rivet forges are a pain to work in, unless all you do is small stuff like rivets, shoes and such. That's what your talking about building. I would suggest cutting a slice in the bottom so you can slide it down over the back "wall" of your forge table so the front sits just about even with the edge of your fire pot, cutting a door in the side. Search "side draft" or "super sucker" It will alow you better access to the fire, keep the aluminum away from the hot fire pot and retain your table. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanderer50 Posted October 12, 2013 Author Share Posted October 12, 2013 The outside of the brake drum is the same size as the bottom of the milk can so it would have to be touching the firepot unless I put it on legs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fe-Wood Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 My stack is right up next to the fire pot. Flames go up the stack when it really roaring. One thing about aluminum is that it transmits heat super well. Unless it in the fire it won't melt. I've had mine in the fire for the amount of time it takes to get 3/4" round to welding heat with no problems. The wall thickness is about 1/8", I'm sure that helps.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Ahh, we have a failure to communicate. Maintain your current set up. Mount the milk jug behind the fire pot, cut a door in the jug so the smoke can get in. This is called a "side draft hood"l Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanderer50 Posted October 13, 2013 Author Share Posted October 13, 2013 Thank you I understand now. The way I was going to do it would probably work but it might be hard to work in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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