blacksmith03 Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 I built my first coal forge a few months back and I plastered it with a 50/50 mixture of plaster of Paris and sand. I'm not very happy with it and I've already had to replaster it. What should I be using to coat my forge? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Irondragon ForgeClay Works Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 If you are near a river or creek with clay banks you can use the clay from there. Or you can pick up some cheap kitty litter, read the contents should say bentonite clay with no deodorant. Mix it with some water to make a stiff batch mixed with a little sand. If you have a pottery supply near you, pick up some fire clay. Any of those will work. Not knowing where you are located that's about the best I can do. Have you read this yet? READ THIS FIRST Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Daswulf Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 What Irondragon said. Is it a bottom blast, or side blast forge? Can you post pictures of it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blacksmith03 Posted March 29, 2019 Author Share Posted March 29, 2019 Thanks for the ideas! It's a side blast forge. I don't have any pics of it and I'm not in the shop right now but It's made from a stainless steel baking pan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JHCC Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 Plaster of Paris will break down when heated to forging temperatures, so it's no wonder yours didn't last. Read the JABOD threads for good discussions of earthen fills. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charles R. Stevens Posted April 14, 2019 Share Posted April 14, 2019 Yep, good old subsoil. Sand melts to form slag (that is what is lurking in the ancient peat that turned into clay) but that is mediated buy silt and clay. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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