bluerooster Posted January 11, 2020 Share Posted January 11, 2020 My existing forge works very well with charcoal, but due to it's construction, I feel that it wouldn't work too well with coal. So, this morning, I spent better part of an hour scrounging around behind the shop, and out to the barn. I then took what I managed to round up, and started to build a forge. The table is cut from a water heater, the firebox is made from a piece of plate that had some sort of HV relay, with associated circuitry attached to it. Frame is a couple of old T-posts, legs are re-bar. I'll be adding bracing, and a tuyere tomorrow. I'll make a flapper of sorts for the bottom of the tuyere, to allow coal gas, and clinkers to escape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grouser Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 good start!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stash Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 I'm concerned about the gauge of the steel in the firebox. Looks kinda thin in the pic. I would think 1/4" as an absolute minimum, better at 3/8" or 1/2". My cast iron box is ~ 3/4". The table itself looks fine. Like Grouser said, good start. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 My thoughts about the thin metal fire pot too, however it will work for a while and easy to make another out of 3/8 plate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 How about a pass through in the fence so long pieces can go through level with the table? Cut a gap and then drill and bolt a cover piece for the gap that can be flipped over out of the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluerooster Posted January 13, 2020 Author Share Posted January 13, 2020 Yes fire pot is kinda thin at 3/16" But it's what I had on hand. I think it will work for a while. Thanx for the replies, and tips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 Cross braces for the legs will help. You can then add expanded wire for a shelf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 Might I suggest a bit of a rework on the fire pot, sloped sides make clean out easier as well as helping settle the fuel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluerooster Posted January 18, 2020 Author Share Posted January 18, 2020 Legs are braced. I would never leave it like that, all wobbly and, such. Thought about adding a shelf, but decided that I didn't need another "catch all". Thanx for the thoughts on the fire pot. I'll modify it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted January 20, 2020 Share Posted January 20, 2020 An expanded steel shelf under the forge is a good place to put hot steel to cool. Pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluerooster Posted January 21, 2020 Author Share Posted January 21, 2020 Dang pnut, you mention of a place to put hot steel to cool made me think about a place to put smaller chunks of cold steel, yet to be forged. Most of my smaller (<12") goes into a bucket, which I need to dump and dig through from time to time. Some of which could be on the shelf under the forge, ready to grab, and go. I think I'll add the shelf after all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted January 21, 2020 Share Posted January 21, 2020 Build a HOT table to put beside the forge. Anything hot goes on the HOT table. Anything coming off the hot table goes into a bucket of water, then into your BARE hand to be placed on a work table usually on the other side of the anvil. If the object is still steaming and hissing when it comes out of the water, consider another dip before you put it into your bare hand. (grin) This way there are NO surprises and no one gets burned. Someone can pick up a warm piece of metal but nothing you did not hold in your bare hand first. If tongs, hammers, etc are put on the hot table, they go into the water, and then into your bare hand. Rules are rules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluerooster Posted January 25, 2020 Author Share Posted January 25, 2020 And yet another good idea. I have a forge sitting next to the forge in question. I use only one forge at a time, so one can be used as a "hot table" while the other is used to make hot steel. Thus alleviating the need for yet another table. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted January 25, 2020 Share Posted January 25, 2020 Do not underestimate the ability of a table with a flat surface to become magnetic and attract all manner of things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted January 25, 2020 Share Posted January 25, 2020 Flat surface syndrome, I think we all suffer from it to some degree more or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 Many of us will recognize the term "angle of repose". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 How many of us have a toolus slope or two in the shop? Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 OUCH that one hurts so good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyBones Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 Frosty, is toolus the same as talus, just tools instead of rubble? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 I was thinking about that toolus slope as I opened the roll up door to the shop this morning to grab a propane tank to refill at lunch. Right inside the door was a 25# LG with a hawkeye helve hammer sort of leaning against it with 4 postvise piled on the HHH... Still not at the angle of repose yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les L Posted January 31, 2020 Share Posted January 31, 2020 My dad used to tell everyone I had a pilots license, every time I passed by a table I piled something on i bluerooster, don’t forget to leave room under it for something to catch your ashes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluerooster Posted January 31, 2020 Author Share Posted January 31, 2020 It's got a bucket of water under there. An old stainless milk pail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solo Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 On 1/12/2020 at 10:38 PM, Irondragon Forge & Clay said: My thoughts about the thin metal fire pot too, however it will work for a while and easy to make another out of 3/8 plate. Words:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 ??????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted February 16, 2020 Share Posted February 16, 2020 On 1/28/2020 at 3:17 PM, BillyBones said: Frosty, is toolus the same as talus, just tools instead of rubble? I just got back to this thread. Do I REALLY need to explain? PM me if so; It'll spare you a severe public ribbing. I can only control myself so much you know. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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