Building a coal forge

[Jonsamper]

Hello,

I want to build a coal forge ; I've forge a few times using one but I usually spent years using a gas forge only ; 

I know the build itself but was wondering about the pros and cons of using 316 SS (5mm thick) to build it,since I happen to have access to enough of this material ;

thanks for any input you might give;

Jonathan

[Kevin Olson]

My quick search showed a melting point at 1400 f. Coal gets much hotter than that so it looks like not a good material for a fire pot. Maybe the ash buildup might insulate the pot IDK. It sure would make for a bad day to have a roaring fire fall out the bottom of your forge. Just get some 1/4 mild steel. That will work for a fire pot. Then use the stainless for everthing else. 

[swedefiddle]

Heat goes up. Should be no problem. Line the inside of the Forge Pan with fire ashes, Clinker, Clay or whatever you have available. The Fire will be above it.

Neil

[Charles R. Stevens]

Cast iron has a lower melting point than steel and has been used for a hundred years or more as bottom blast forge bowls. 

Mic you use clay with coal be aware it will vitrify (turn to ceramic) and clinker sticks to it like glue. A thin bed of sand or ash prevents this's a clinker dosn't stick to either one

[Jonsamper]

thanks again for your help,

I'll start working on it soon and hopefully won't do anything stupid:)

(sorry for starting the same question twice,I missed the forge-related-subjects-area and never found out how to delete this post)