New Coal Forge build! (pic heavy)

[Scratch]

Well I recently finished up my third forge and thought I'd share the build with you all as I think it turned out pretty well. Sorry about all the pics, but everybody like pics right!?!?
Back in about 2007, I built a real nice propane gas forge for my very first forge, and while it worked well, I quickly realized that I needed something that could handle a wider piece.  So about a year later, I ended up making a simple coal forge from a wheelbarrow tub and a clothes dryer blower.  I figured I'd make something simple, quick and cheap... then when I get more experience and could figure out exactly what I wanted in a forge, I could build one specifically to suit my needs.  Well I finally went and did it, and I took pictures too!  ... Lots and lots of pictures...

To reminisce... here is a picture of my first gas forge, and also my simple wheelbarrow forge.
 

 

Now, let's get on with the build!
I've always considered the the firepot to be the heart of the forge, so that's what I started with.  I have a CNC plasma cutting table so I drew up the firepot in Corel Draw, then cut out the pieces from 1/4" A36 HR steel and welded it up.
 

Then I drew up an easy to replace "grate plate" for the bottom of the firpot.  I was going to just weld in some bars for the grate, but thought I could easily cut a new one when it gets burnt out, and just drop it in place like this.  The extra thickness will help the firpot last longer as well.
 

Next I drew up the floor pan and cut it out from 3/16" steel, then drew up the four sides, cut them out, and welded them to the floor pan.
 

Then I welded on some legs from 2X2 square tubing, welded some feet on them, and added some wheels on the back legs.  The finished floor pan height is 32".
 

I tore apart my wheelbarrow forge and used the blower, tuyere, and ash dump from it since it would save time, and it already worked great.  I do wish the ash dump was deeper, but I can live with emptying it more often.  I also welded on some bracing straps to mount the blower directly to the tuyere.
 

I was going to drill and tap some holes in the bottom of the firepot, but I couldn't find my tap and die set, so I figured out which position I wanted the tuyere, drilled some matching holes in the firepot and the flange, then cut the heads off some 3/8" bolts and welded them in place to use as studs instead.  I used blue tape to hold the studs upward in place while I plug welded them from the bottom inside of the firepot.  Worked great!
 

Here you can see a close up of them bolted together, a complete shot of my firepot/tuyere/blower/ash dump assembly, and finally with it installed under the forge body.
 

I drew and cut out a piece of 14 guage steel for an air gate, then welded a handle and a stop to it.  CNC plasma tables sure are handy!
 

I decided to weld on some bars to hold my tongs, shovel, rake, etc... from 3/8" X 1" bar stock.  I put them on three sides since I wanted the versability to be able to use it in lots of orientations.
 

I have these openings on all four sides so I can get longer stock, low into the sweet spot if I need to, but I still wanted to be able to close the openings if I'm not using them so coal won't spill out.  (also... the opening on the one end farthest from the firepot is deeper and flush with the floor pan in case I ever want to clean out the forge by sweeping rather than tipping it over)
 

So to close them, I made some sliding "coal gates" that can be partially or fully slid out of the way, or even flipped to the outside when I want to open them.  All four of the coal gates are identical for ease of replacement.
 

Then I welded in some cord hangers to hold the 20' power cable.
 

I couldn't decide on where to mount the power switch since I wasn't sure which of the 3 sides I would be using as the front, so I decided to attach the switch to a movable mount that can attach to anywhere on the forge body.  I also used flexible steel conduit to help protect the wires from heat.
 

And here it is all finished up!  I painted the firepot and floor pan hi temp black, but painted everything else industrial grey since that's what I paint all my home built tools in.
 

I also made a removable support extension for long stock that can mount anywhere on the forge body, and also stores conveniently on any side when I'm not using it.  It's exactly 24" long and 12" wide to double as a measuring tool if needed, plus I bolted on a piece of broken measuring tape to it, for smaller measurements.  Can't wait to fire it up!
 

[Daswulf]

Cool build. Thanks for sharing and be sure to let us know how it works. 

Yeah I can only think of a billion uses for a CNC plasma cutter. Only thing stoping me is cost, even if I do Know I could make the cost back in no time with what I could make with it.  

[Charles R. Stevens]

Might want to extend the ash trap just a bit. But it's beutiful. I have a dryer blower just waiting for my lazy butt to finish a build for a budy

[Scratch]

Yeah, that's the one thing I wish was changed.  I was going to extend it, but remembered it did work well enough on my other forge so I just left it for now.

[Der_krieger]

Would you happen to have the dimensions for the table and firepot on hand?  I would like to build one myself, it won't be as pretty as I am lacking a cnc plasma table, but none the less i like the design.

[Casey J. Clark]

That build is awesome! Loving this site. Can't wait to get making some of the designs y'all have on here.  

[Charles R. Stevens]

Some peaple take their forge building way to seriusly

[ThomasPowers]

Looks lovely but the open windings on the motor wouldn't last long in my shop; too much dust and rust and scale flying around