ForgingH Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 My goal is to find or make a forge design that can use coal, charcoal, and wood interchangeably. So far a washtub forge seems to be the best idea. I don't have a welder or angle grinder to make a metal one from. Has anyone tried wood in a washtub forge? What would you do to change a past design you've used? Are clinkers a problem with it? Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 Look up the JABOD Just a Box of Dirt. As discussed in a current thread, it can be done but each fuel has pluses and minuses for the design. Some modifications are more efficient than others, and each fuel works a bit differently, but it can be done. Nothing wrong with building 3 forges so you have the best forge for each fuel. Rivets or bolts can be used instead of welds, and an angle grinder costs under $10 for the cheap ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 Note that wood, charcoal and coal all do best with a forge designed specifically for them; so your goal is to make one that works poorly with all three? WHY? I would suggest building a forge that can be converted from using one fuel to another. And as far as wood goes---you are actually forging with charcoal; just making it in the same forge. I often forge using wood; but I put the wood fire in a raised firepit downwind of the forge and transfer the hot coals as needed so I don't have to deal with the flame, sparks and smoke at the forge. I even built a special shovel from gravel shaker screen so I can leave the ashes and small bits in the firepit and only transfer good coals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForgingH Posted January 29, 2019 Author Share Posted January 29, 2019 Sorry I wasn't too clear. I meant a forge that could be be adapted to fuels. My bad. I did some research on jabod forges and started to build one. I don't really need three forges since I'm just going to use up some wood I have and then move to coal. Thanks for the answers, I really appreciate them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill in Oregon Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 Thomas -- love your idea about using wood that has been reduced to charcoal outside the forge itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.