blindhammer Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Hello, I am new to the site and relatively new to blacksmithing, I have only ever used a propane forge and I have recently acquired a forge made from a small propane tank. At first I thought it would be propane fueled but upon closer inspection I have developed some doubts. The forge is situated on its side and a door has been installed in what would normally be considered the top. What threw me is that this forge has a large vent positioned near the back and on top (relative to the forges current position) about 4in tall and wide enough for my fist to fit through. I am not sure if this is a coal forge or if it is some form of gas forge, any help or directional advice would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 In order to see what you have, and how it may be used, photos are needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackKnight0739 Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Is this similar to what you're talking about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindhammer Posted July 1, 2014 Author Share Posted July 1, 2014 Here is a picture. it reminds me of a wood stove, but much smaller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Looks very much like a very small woodstove and *NOT* a forge. Is there an opening for forced air or a propane burner? If not then it's a wood stove. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindhammer Posted July 2, 2014 Author Share Posted July 2, 2014 The only opening other than the door is the large vent on top, and its to wide to efficiently force any type of gas through. So than you I have determined that this is a wood stove of some kind, would it be able to function as a solid fuel forge, or would it need modifications? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Keyes Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 It's clearly a wood stove. That said, since much of the hard fab is done, it would be a simple conversion to a gas forge. Coal forges are generally open topped, though I am not an expert on solid fuels. Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Welcome aboard Blindhammer guy, glad to have you. If you put your general location in the header you might be surprised how many of the IFI gang live within visiting distance. Everything about that unit says wood stove to me, probably for a camp cabin or maybe a ice fishing shack. The flat top is for cooking or keeping a kettle hot. Be a very nice stove in the ice fishing shack. Turning that into a forge is certainly possible, how much metal working skill do you have? The first coal forge I made was similar in design, a short section of 10" ID pipe with a stack and opening. It worked but not very well as a forge, later I turned it into a gun (blown) propane burner forge. There isn't any real reason to have a heavy shell on a gas forge unless you're planning on forging really heavy stock, a pickup axle is way less weight than a piece of stove pipe will support, a semi axle isn't too heavy with a helper. (A helper is a support stand for long stock so it lays properly in the forge, over the anvil, swage, drill press table, band saw, etc.) So, were I you I'd find a 5gl. steel bucket, unplated! or my favorite a short length of expensive but durable stainless steel stove pipe and build a gas forge from scratch. A solid fuel forge is as simple as a table with a hole a brake drum fits through and rests on it's rim, a little plumbing for the air supply and some basic fab work. I'd keep the stove you have if you live where winter is a real season, maybe sell it to an ice fisherman or someone with a little cabin if you don't have a use for a little wood stove yourself. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindhammer Posted July 2, 2014 Author Share Posted July 2, 2014 Thanks for all the input guys it is appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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