Culver Creek Hunt Club Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 Thought I would share the build on here. I still have to fab and install the ash dump, the lower shelf and in the blower and electric box. The blower has a dial to increase flow up to 300cfm but I want to wire the control to the side of the forge so I don't have to bend over. The fire pot is 1/2" thick plate on bottom and sides. The front legs have wheels so it can be moved around pretty much just like a wheel borrow. the vertical pipe on the fire pot is 4" the air port is 2" (didn't have a 4x4 tee so worse case I may have to cut off the 2" leg and fishmouth on a 4" pipe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 some have had the welds holding the fire pot to the table break because the pot gets much hotter than the table and the diffence in expansion fatiges the welds, if this happens to you, a 1" lip weldes to the pot so it dosnt fall threw the table is a good fix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Culver Creek Hunt Club Posted August 18, 2015 Author Share Posted August 18, 2015 I'll have to keep an eye on that. I was really trying to maintain a smooth top. If a crack appears a lip should be easy enough to add. When the pots you referenced broke, it wasn't all at once with the pot falling out, was it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 Nope, but inatention could lead to a catastrofic failer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 That's going to be a fine looking forge when it's finished. One suggestion I might make regarding your tuyere and grid. Those rebars will burn through in no time. Best if you can find some sort of thick cast iron with holes or wide slots and drop it in the bottom. No need for welding...it ain't goin' nowhere with it's weight and coal/coke piled on top of it. Holes seem to work better for me, since the slots tend to warp and have been known to burn through quicker. A thick piece of steel, say 1/2" with holes would do nicely. Easily replaced if and when it goes by the wayside.Happy forging! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Culver Creek Hunt Club Posted August 19, 2015 Author Share Posted August 19, 2015 I will take a run at a different grate. used up my 1/2" material on the pot so I will probably have to run like this for a short while. I do have a cast iron grate from an old propane grill. Thanks for the input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Culver Creek Hunt Club Posted September 8, 2015 Author Share Posted September 8, 2015 Well it is ready to fire up. I have a few small modifications I want to do, like the suggested grate and the blower has a variable speed knob that I would like to wire up a box at the table edge. I want to make sure it works well before doing either. Next up, the anvil stand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WL smith Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 I would mount the blower under the front of the table. Mount it so the knob is easy to reach. You may need more tubing but that blower should empty your fire pot on full blow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo7 Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 (edited) I like the smooth top, but before it gets any use weld the 1" flat around the fire pot to the underside of the table, dont think it would fall thru then. Edited September 9, 2015 by turbo7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Culver Creek Hunt Club Posted September 9, 2015 Author Share Posted September 9, 2015 I like the smooth top, but before it gets any use weld the 1" flat around the fire pot to the underside of the table, dont think it would fall thru then. I welded in 4 clip angles under the table for some added reinforcing. It is 1/2" steel on the pot and the table top is 1/4". It is full penetration weld around the entire perimeter. I will be keeping an eye on it for any cracking. if it does I will probably weld on a flange to the pot and angles to the underneath to slide the pot into. I really wanted to maintain a smooth top if I can, or one that is recessed below. Here's hoping. I would mount the blower under the front of the table. Mount it so the knob is easy to reach. You may need more tubing but that blower should empty your fire pot on full blow.once I am sure it will run as I hope I plan on putting the blower control on the leg that is front and right in the picture. I agree it ahs to be handy and I sure don't want to be bending to adjust it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Culver Creek Hunt Club Posted December 30, 2015 Author Share Posted December 30, 2015 Finally got it fired up. ran very well. wired in a rheostat on the blower at table height to avoid bending. just ran a couple hooks and a poker and a rake. getting enough heat is not an issue with this fan. I actually melted off the very first piece I put in the fire. I didn't expect it to heat up quite as fast as it did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thats Hot... Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 I like your set up. I am getting things ready to make my next forge with a flat top. I forge I just built with the brake rotor is working fine but I like a flat area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo7 Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 Good job mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Culver Creek Hunt Club Posted January 4, 2016 Author Share Posted January 4, 2016 Thank you. Going to head over the the New York State Designer Blacksmith Association meeting on the 16th to check out the group and see who's in the area. I figure an organization and meetings like this may cut down on my learning curve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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