Jump to content
I Forge Iron

Super-sucker Sidedraft Sideblast


Recommended Posts

Yeah, say that 4 times fast. lol Anyway, at Glenn's suggestion I threw together a "super-sucker" for the coal forge in the new shop. Works beautifully! The only issue I have is when I kill the blower, after an hour or two, the smoldering coal makes for a little haze in the shop. Looks like a new environmental engineering project in my future. Currently debating making a "hood" that can be closed up with panels when I'm done forging, but first I'm gonna just try moving some air with fans and see if I can clear up the haze. Remember, I'm 10 feet below ground so there's some issues here with airflow that most people don't have to deal with. :) Here's some pictures of the box I built, a quick test fire (because I had my doubts) and after the forge was constructed, a real honest run.

J

20150812_172402.thumb.jpg.880a6509415d7020150813_174552.thumb.jpg.aa79e70739cb2d20150819_151512.thumb.jpg.6b64420a7b6521

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What is the inside diameter of your flue pipe, and how far does it extend above the highest point of your roof? 

8" flue.. goes up another 5.5' until it goes through the outter limestone wall (almost 3') then it goes up about 16' or around 5' above the roof. Like I said, only real issue is the residual smoke from the smoldering embers when it's killed and I think that's because there isn't enough heat in the pipe to really create the convection needed to suck it all out.

J

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hopefully those more expert will chime in, but you might wish to try a larger diameter flue pipe.

If I could make a bigger hole through the limestone foundation I would have, but I'm constrained to a 10 inch terracotta vent pipe already in the wall. Like I said, while running at full heat it's great - pulls flames and smoke 90 degrees right out the box, it's when the heat dies down after an hour or so and the coals are still smoldering that the little plumes of coal smoke linger instead of getting sucked out. I have even considered putting a small propane pilot inside the box just to keep the heat creating a draw.

J

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I saw a guy on youtube called Chandler Dickinson who just the other day uploaded a video where he had welded up a box that fit over his firepot and tight up against the opening for his chimney. 

His idea was to stop sparks straying onto the very old and very dry timbers of his shop. - But in theory you could make something similar that would effectively force any smoke up the chimney once you're done for the day. 

 

Just an idea. 

Andy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I threw together a "super-sucker" for the coal forge in the new shop. Works beautifully! The only issue I have is when I kill the blower, after an hour or two, the smoldering coal makes for a little haze in the shop. Looks like a new environmental engineering project in my future. Currently debating making a "hood" that can be closed up with panels when I'm done forging, but first I'm gonna just try moving some air with fans and see if I can clear up the haze.

Lack of heat to power the draft in the chimney would be suspected but the fire is not out and continues to smoldering.

Drag the fire out of the fire pot and it should die rather quickly. You may wish to put a fan in the chimney to encourage the last remaining smoke to go up and out.

Edited by Glenn
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Try a KISS solution just to see if it resolves---make a quickie tin-foil deflector cover to direct residual smoke to the chimney...maybe with a small air-channel so what little draw there is has some make-up air.  If it works, you can fab us a decent cover to throw on when the hammerin's done.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Put some bricks in the bottom of the chimney.  They heat up while you work and will continue to add a little draft while the fire is idling.  I have a side draft with 12" pipe and four fire bricks sitting on the bottom of the box - it's a rare occasion to see any trace of smoke in my shop.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you would put in a "switch" in the air duct from your fan so the air goes in trough a kind of jet at the bottom of the pipe directed upwards you will get an ejector effeect that keeps the chimney going. When you close for the day you just redirect the air and rake out the embers so they loose heat quicker. When the embers have stopped smoking, you stop the fan. You use this device also when starting the fire in order to start the draft. Since I do not know your fan I cannot guarantee that it works but a similar setup works very well for me

Göte 

Edited by gote
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...