Dutch Forge??

[racer3j]

As an old retired racer, I sit here and watch Indy- my last years were in sprint cars- used to be the path to the 500. Anyway, has anyone built a coal/coke forge using a cast iron dutch oven? I found my old 15" one and started thinking. A floor flange for the hole in the bottom( that uses up one good holesaw), a 3 inch nipple down, a "T" on the nipple and a pipe going into the "T" from the side. All 1 1/4 inch. The bottom of the "T" with a plug for cleanout. A disc with holes with a 1" dia nipple stub welded to the disc to rotate in the floor flange and holes drilled in that rotating vent control. Will it work with a small blower going in the horizontal pipe?Too small for typical clinkers? Other negatives. I will have my gas forge next week but I am just brain storming on the coal/coke forge- the dutch oven has been inactive for about 15 years and it deserves better than a flower pot.jet

[nett]

You could save trashing a nice hole saw by using a brake drum that already has a nice hole in it. They are found in a variety of width and depths too, you know, from puny little VW bug size to monster ones off a tractor trailer rig.

Edited May 25, 2008 by nett
yes

[dablacksmith]

does the dutch oven have a lid? if its a old one you might get more for it than a good cast tewere costs! i wouldnt use it for a forge ... you can fabricate sumthing for a firepot ...

[racer3j]

In fact, it is a complete quite nice flange lidded example. If I try to sell it, shipping would be more than item price. Thinking on it, the old guy has made many a fine venison stew and baked a pretty fair number of biscuits. I'll look for something that has not earned a peaceful semi-retirement.jet

[Frosty]

Retire the dutch oven before you kill it please. You may never use it again but someone might as well get the chance.

Right now, ours is simmering a nice moose stew. I'm about ready to go make a batch of bisquits to go with and get down to some void filling.

It's been a pretty good couple days here in the great white north. Garage saling has yielded some good shop stuff and our last doe of the season delivered us a couple of beautiful healthy kids.

Pics later, stew first.

Frosty

Edited May 26, 2008 by Frosty

[keykeeper]

Mmm...Moose stew. Had to rub it in, Eh Frosty. Sure wish I lived close to you, you'd have a guest for dinner!

And yes, I've ate moose before. Pretty tasty stuff. Just not any around here to hunt. It pays to know people that go up north on hunting trips.

Racer: Send me the dutch oven, I'll send ya a brake drum back!;)

Edited May 26, 2008 by keykeeper

[Frosty]

I wouldn't think of rubbing it, I shovel it in.

Don't forget the hot buttermilk bisquits sopping up the juice. You're invited to dinner any time you're in the neighborhood.

Mmmmmm.

Frosty

[racer3j]

For me, the only meat that just may surpass moose is elk. Though Iowa beef forced on corn for two to three weeks is a tough standard of comparison. You have succeeded in rescuing the DO. I have found less honorable 20" 2 1/2" deep CI pan for $29- I may abuse one of those.jet

[Dave M]

Some cast iron cookware has become very very collectible. at auctions and antques shops:o. I also say old brake drums work great, I just got one for free from a school bus from the junk yard when I told the I was making a coal forge for a kid who wants to get into blacksmithing. 1 brake drum, 1- 4" schd 40 cast tee Y, 4"cast iron drain grate, old weber grill frame and a busted up shop vac. Every thing was free except for the tee Y and drain grate. You should have seen the kids face when we fired it up and when we were done I told him and his dad to load it up and take it home with a set of tongs we made and a modified ballpeen.