non-slip camp oven lid lifter

[ausfire]

So, I was asked to forge a camp oven lid lifter that was stable enough to shake off the coals. I had a few ideas in mind and this is what I came up with.

Yes, I know it looks a bit 'agricultural', but hey, it works really well and you can lift the heavy camp oven lid and hold it vertically with little effort. It's only a prototype and now I know it works, the next one will have more graceful lines and probably lighter metal.  And I need more practice forging a ball shape on the ends of the handles.

I would like to figure out a way of forging one without the need for the welded guides. Collars or rivets perhaps?

[fergy]

that Is a nice piece of work!!!

[turbo7]

Good job mate, how about forge welding the collars or if you are better than me, upset n draw and drift the collars (?), maybe. 

[KRS]

Wouldn´t a Tong work better? like on of those the blacksmiths have

That way your hand would not be over the fire

[DSW]

Lids on large dutch ovens are heavy and the leverage is all wrong if you try and use tongs from the side as it just multiplies the weight. Straight up is usually best. Keeping it steady is important if you put coals on top, so you don't get ash in your food. No one likes the taste of aXX I mean ash. LOL

[Jim Coke]

Greetings all, 

I designed mine years ago .. Non slip and the hoop on the end allows for hanging it up and lifting the whole oven by the bail . Woops 2 rivets and one forge weld .. Back to the drawing board.. LOL .. 

Forge on and make beautiful things

Jim

[ausfire]

My design is far less stylish than Jim's, but it does work. I have studied Jim's design over a period of time and did start to make a similar lifter, pivoted with a rivet (I used a bolt on the first one) but I could never get those foot loops right. Easy to make the hook part but the rest remains a challenge. I like the mechanical advantage provided by the lever in Jim's lifter. I'll keep trying.

KRS: Yes, tongs would keep your hand away from the fire, but the lid would wobble all over the place which defeats the purpose. And, as DSW points out, the weight would be multiplied, and those lids are heavy enough as they are.

Turbo: Maybe! I'm not good at forge welding, unless it's a straightforward joint. The MIG beckons.

[wpearson]

make the guides u shape weld or rivet through the side.

[ianinsa]

Both those lifters look like they were built using 'military spec.'  

[Chinobi]

Could you forge (ok bend) in a loop like taking a bite while tying a knot at the location of each of those guide collars?  At least it might work on the upper one, the lower might need to be a punched hole in the spur springing from the main shaft, and river of tennon or what have you to attach the two together.  I suppose you could also forge a little loop or a separate tab with a hole in it that you can rivet to the main shaft as well.  Plenty of mechanical joint options methinks

 

great at designs both of you, excellent form and function!

[chichi]

Similar to wpearsons comment above-

put a small tenon on the end of say a 1/2 in. bar. Flatten and spread a 1 in section next to the tenon and punch a square or round hole in the flattened section. This will be the guide.. Put a hole in the upright and brad the punched guide in place. My sizes may not be right but I am sure you get the idea. The upright will have a nice swell where the tenon is inserted.

Good luck!!