Seabass Posted October 19, 2018 Share Posted October 19, 2018 So this is the forge that me and my dad built to get me started. I know that this isn't an ideal set-up by far but it is what I have at the moment. I was wondering what you all thought about it. At the moment I am also thinking about wood for fuel because it is what is the most accessible for me. Thanks, Seabass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 19, 2018 Share Posted October 19, 2018 Is that gravel in there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seabass Posted October 19, 2018 Author Share Posted October 19, 2018 Yessir Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 19, 2018 Share Posted October 19, 2018 You might really want to replace the gravel with clay. Rocks can explode under high heat. As for the rest it would help to know whats going on with the pipe going into the tank. With that setup, look up the Tim Lively washtub forge design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 19, 2018 Share Posted October 19, 2018 You will also want to bank the sides so you use less fuel, especially with charcoal! I prefer to have the wood burning at a different location and transfer hot coals to the forge as the smoke can be troublesome. ++ on the Time Lively washtub forge suggestion you are very close to it right now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seabass Posted October 19, 2018 Author Share Posted October 19, 2018 The pipe is a 2'' diameter steel pipe with holes drilled in it facing towards the top and a cap screwed on the end. We also placed little circles of mesh over the holes so nothing would get in there. 21 hours ago, ThomasPowers said: I prefer to have the wood burning at a different location and transfer hot coals to the forge as the smoke can be troublesome. So I have heard both ways. Is it possible for wood to achieve the heat needed to forge? I have heard that using wood as fuel is simply waiting for coals and using that so in essence, it's a charcoal forge. On the other hand, I heard that is totally possible for wood to achieve the heat needed and that you don't need to wait for coals at all. So I am curious. Seabass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 19, 2018 Share Posted October 19, 2018 I think if you do a little research on the washtub forge, notch the front and back of that tank for a passthrough and replace the stone with clay in the shape shown in the style we mentioned looking up, you will be fine. A lot of small work doesnt need all that area to be heated and will just waste fuel. You would be better to figure a way to block atleast half the pipe holes when not needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 19, 2018 Share Posted October 19, 2018 Wood does not get hot enough, the coals are charcoal and charcoal has been used for over 3000 years now for smithing iron/steel. Note when I build my first forge it had a long linear tuyere that I brought all the way out the other end and I controlled the length of the fire with a ramrod that went in the far end and could be moved to the proper place---I used a steel pulley on a steel rod as they fit the pipe i was using---back in 1981. Having the far end open allowed me to clean it out just by turning the blower on and removing the ramrod. Mesh is contraindicated---especially if it was GALVANIZED!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seabass Posted October 20, 2018 Author Share Posted October 20, 2018 So we have a ton of wood around, both treated lumber like 2x4's from house construction scraps, and actual cut down trees too. For the 2x4's, I cut them into 2x4x6'' chunks and for the "tree wood" we just cut it up into small chunks too. Would it be more beneficial to burn the wood in the forge and wait for it to burn down into charcoal, or to make the charcoal myself. I'm sure you all know the procedure to make your own charcoal but on the small chance you don't, you basically burn wood in a closed bin with one hole in the lid. This basically roasts out all the impurities and moisture without actually letting air in and burning it like it would in a fire. Seabass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 Do Not use treated lumber. There are some bad toxins in it. Stick with untreated lumber or regular fire wood. I would either do as Thomas says and build a separate fire and transfer the coals, or premake the charcoal in a retort. If premaking it, yes you'll want a consistant size and type of wood per batch. With a separate fire it wouldnt be as important other than not having very thick pieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 Perhaps he meant dimensional and kiln dried lumber rather than treated with anit fungals like creosote and CCA? (Strong "Don't burn anti-rot treated wood!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seabass Posted October 20, 2018 Author Share Posted October 20, 2018 Ok...it has come to my attention that the 2x4's that I was referring to earlier are not treated. So with this knowledge, which do you think would be more helpful? Making those chunks into charcoal before, or transferring the coals like Thomas says? Thanks, Seabass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 Well it is more convenient to have charcoal at hand when needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seabass Posted October 20, 2018 Author Share Posted October 20, 2018 2 minutes ago, Daswulf said: Well it is more convenient to have charcoal at hand when needed. Very true. It is most likely what I will do. Thank you for your wisdom. Seabass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 On the other hand making it as you are using it means you don't spend half your possible forging time making charcoal and then lighting it and forging. 10 of 1 and half a score of the other. Find what works best for *you*! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted October 21, 2018 Share Posted October 21, 2018 If your not heat treating long blades or bending long scrolls on a jig in one go a small 4-8” fire is going to be much more useless effecent and as you can only hand forge about 6” at a time you realy don’t need more. Side blast forges are also more charcoal friendly as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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