scottyp74 Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 I made a throw together forge to get started. Now I want to make solid steel top forge. I have a nice heavy duty steel work bench I'm going to use to make it. My question is what size do I make the fire pit it self? I don't work anything over 2" to 3" diameter stuff. How wide and deep does it need to be? Any thought or suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dayne Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 Hey there. The biggest piece i have heat up was 2.5" round 6"long. All you do is add more coke for a bigger fire. The deeper the pile the bigger the fire. I've seen smiths have a coal quench ladle to avoid it getting too large . I think I had atleast one cubic foot maybe two. Mind you, I am also a rookie. The old blacksmithing books to download on here are a wealth of info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan the blacksmith Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 a good fire pot size in my experience is about 3 inches deep or so and 7-8" by 10-11". I will try to post a picture of my fire pot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
House of D Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 Scotty P, I personally prefer a deeper firepot. This allows the oxygen to burn off before it hits your iron. My fire pot is 11"x13"x5.5" Deep. I made it from 1" plate. I do heavy forging and often have 2" plus in my fire. This depth allows me to keep 4"-5" of coke below the iron and 2" or more around or above it depending on what I'm doing. This does not imply in any way that a shallower fire pot will not work, they do. And work well! i just prefer a deeper one, it works for me. A shallower may work for you! Dick Nietfelds website, Shady Grove Blacksmith Shop, www.blksmth.com has tons of valuable information. There are forge and firepot designs and plans as well as alot of other useful information that may be of interest to you and anyone who has an interest in blacksmithing. Dick is a great guy whom I consider a friend and valuable resource. And he imports some great anvils! Check out his website, lots of good info. D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 Induction heater, problem solved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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