Johnnyweasel Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 First my question: Based on the metal used to make car rotors with is it ok to use a car rotor as the base of my forge? I read a lot about galvanized metal being toxic and I do not know even what rotors are made from. Carbon, steel..??? Synopsis: I have a large brake drum that has about a 10” radius on the inside. To fill that gap I have an old rotor I was thinking of placing inside the drum. Then connecting my flange and some piping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Yes, rotors have been used for fire pots on many home built forges. A 10 inch forge will limit you on what you can heat in it though, you might want to look at the 55 forge thread. BTW: Welcome to IFI, if you will put your location in your profile you may be surprised how many of the gang are near you and a lot of answers are location dependent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Brake drum and rotor forges are a PITA. The side blast is quicker, cheaper and more versital Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Brake rotors and drums are cast steel. No galvanizing. Stand alone brake drum forges do look like a pita I mounted my brake rotor ( 8"inner dia. 2-3" deep) in a metal table and it has served me well. as Charles mentions tho, you can also look up " just a box of dirt" side blast forges. They look simple and easy and you can work with the size and shape of the fire pot to suit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnnyweasel Posted October 22, 2017 Author Share Posted October 22, 2017 Thanks for the informative information. We are using a 12” Rotor and a brake drum from a dump truck which is about 16” radius with an inner radius of 10” so the rotor will set inside very nicely. We have a perfect stand that can handle the weight and get it off the ground about 3’. Just ordered a 4kg Silicon Graphite crucible, Tongs and putting it all together this week. I’ll be sure to post some picks when we’re complete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 from Wikipedia: under Disk Brakes: "The rotor is usually made of cast iron, but may in some cases be made of composites such as reinforced carbon–carbon or ceramic matrix composites. " Under Drum Brakes: "he brake drum is generally made of a special type of cast iron that is heat-conductive and wear-resistant." Meehanite cast iron has been used extensively for brake components. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 I stand corrected. Cast iron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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