redouxranch Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 I have been lurking for awhile and am finally ready to start sharing...I will start with the new forge I built. I started with a mini propane forge but realized I would need more heat and space than it could provide. After reading all I could on solid fuel forges i decided that was the direction I would go. My old BBQ grill was headed for the dump and I decided to intercept it and give it a new life as the base for my forge. It is perfect with the wheels as I will need to wheel it in and out of my garage for awhile. The base is a steel plate from a local scrapyard and the fire pot is an old brake drum. The blower is a bathroom fan wired to a rehostat on a tuyere of black gas piping. The grate in the bottom is from a floor drain and I decided to clay it all (probably overkill) as it filled in all of the gapping and allowed me to built ledges for tool rests and to smooth the transition between the floor pan and the drum. Let me know your thoughts. I am excited for its first burn and ready to get forging!!! Here are some photos of the progression of putting it together... Redoux Rancher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 Replace the pipe plug with about 12-18 inches of pipe then the pipe plug. You need room for some ash. Other than that build a fire and start forging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gromgor Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 I was just about to say the same thing. I learned the hard way with a forge that if you have a hot piece of anything drop down and it has no clearance between the bottom and the air pathway, the heat will back up into your pipe and melt your blow dryer.... Fun times! Seriously, like Glenn said, 12-18 inches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 Is that kaowool lining the forge and firepot? REMOVE IT! Unneeded for a solid fuel forge and it will be prone to breaking down and spreading kaowool dust. I see the cut in the front of the firepot---where is the one in the rear to slide long pieces through to get the middle in the hot spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redouxranch Posted June 29, 2014 Author Share Posted June 29, 2014 Thanks for the comments guys. The hardware store didn't have a longer piece of pipe. I hope to get one at another store on Monday. I appreciate the input. Thomas...that is not KAOwool. It is a clay lining that is probably unnecessary but I will see how it works. It helped to fill in a few holes and spaces in the sides and around the fire pot. The clay is a mix of bentonite, perlite, and play sand. I debated making another cut through but for the short time I am only doing blades and small pieces but that may change. I can always cut it in if I need/want it. I do have a few fire bricks I can use to expand and grow the fire pot size. I appreciate the input greatly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 OK Clay is fine. You might do a second layer and bring it up even with the firepot lip to make it easier to rake coal into the firepot. And the back cut out to stick long pieces through? The Habitat for Humanity Re-Store is my favorite place to get larger diameter black iron pipe at a better price though each store is different in stock and pricing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redouxranch Posted June 29, 2014 Author Share Posted June 29, 2014 Thanks Thomas...I LOVE the Restore. We get lots of stuff for projects there. I checked for black iron pipe and they had some one inch but no 2 inch. I did get a cool cabinet and the bathroom fan, both for $15. I am going to the biggest farm and ranch store in our area tomorrow and they should have some bigger pieces of black iron...I hope. I will start posting some project pics within the next few days. My wife is out of town so I am 'batching it. Thanks for your comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironmike Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 When you get that short piece of pipe at the bottom of your tuyere you can use a rain cap for the trap door. Rain caps are used on farm tractor mufflers and come in all sizes,You can also add more counter weight on the door to compensate for the blast. I have used these for years on forges that needed a ash door, simple and it works. They should have them at that farm store Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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