I'm building my first forge and would appreciate any input on what I have so far. I'm just getting into blacksmithing and I don't even know what I'm going to be making yet. For now it is portable and will be used outside. If it works well and I get into it more I may make it permanent.

Is that to burn coal or charcoal?   (and look up the IBA Indiana Blacksmiths Association. They have a nice conference early June!)

It is for coal. I can get bulk coal about 15 minutes from me. Thanks I'll have to check out the conference.

Is it good smithing coal?  Coal is like water; it can range from stuff you are happy to use, to stuff you don't want even near you!

Looks good so far. A weighted flapper cap will work well on your ash dump. 

im not sure how that thin sheet will work over the tuyere but hey, it isn't permenant. Try it with and without. 

What size pipe is on the top for the chimney?  

Looks like you are on the path to a usable forge. 

The good coal I use I'ed skip the plate and just burn it in the firepot with the 2 rebar bars across the air inlet.

31 minutes ago, Daswulf said:

Looks good so far. A weighted flapper cap will work well on your ash dump. 

im not sure how that thin sheet will work over the tuyere but hey, it isn't permenant. Try it with and without. 

What size pipe is on the top for the chimney?  

Looks like you are on the path to a usable forge. 

Thanks for the reply. I thought about a flapper cap, how often does it need to be emptied? The thin sheet I put over the tuyere was just because the coal I have has a lot of small pieces if it's not necessary I won't use it. It's an 8 inch chimney.

35 minutes ago, ThomasPowers said:

The good coal I use I'ed skip the plate and just burn it in the firepot with the 2 rebar bars across the air inlet.

Hopefully it's good coal. I got a 55 gallon drum of it (bituminous)

After I clean my fire pot before starting I empty it and it has the most. Easier to get the ash down the tube then to scoop it out. Then later as I work the fire rarely but it's easy to just lift the flapper to empty it. No easy answer to how often. Forges and coal may vary. 

Try yours and see how it works. On my rotors I have a thicker plate with holes drilled for the air supply and to keep my fuel in the pot. The rebar works too. Again, try it and see. 

Chimneys work better around the 10-12" dia. Range. Not saying yours won't work but if you go permenant I would strongly suggest 10"-12". 12" being better. 

I just open it up after each use to keep it cleaned out.

Thats hot, that is a good idea for the flapper. I was trying to figure out how to engineer one lol. I did read that 10 to 12 inch pipe is best. If I change it it's just a few pop rivets 

The proof of the coal is in the burning. Can't really tell by looking though sometimes you can see enough to say "No Thanks!"