4oclockshadow Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 (edited) Hello. I have acquired an old Champion 407 forge and am restoring it, but oddly enough the forge has a circular firepot and a dish of sorts that sits in the middle of the firepot. I have not seen this anywhere on the net, including the Champion Forge History group. I am pretty sure the dish in the photo is a Champion item as it is heavy cast and has bolt holes that match up with the firepot and vent/clinker breaker underneath (see photo). The question I have is if the firepot is supposed to be lined with clay-sand or refractory cement to the level of the dish OR should I just leave the dish out?? The other option--working with coal/coke under this dish does not make much sense. I really hope someone can sort this out as I would really like to finish this thing and start using it. Thx. Edited February 11, 2021 by 4oclockshadow cast, not forged for the dish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stash Posted February 13, 2021 Share Posted February 13, 2021 I've never seen that style before but it certainly looks workable. My inclination would be to put clay in the firepot, and pack it pretty firm. Then create my ducks nest from the center part with the clinker breaker out over the rest of the table with the clay. Maybe put a perimeter of thin firebrick on the table and blend from the ducks nest up to the brick. You don't need to get real fancy with refractory clay or cement- just dig some clay from the back yard or local creek bank. Just get it damp and form it into place and pack it in with a mallet or chunk of 2x4. Un scented unused kitty litter is great for this if you don't have local clay. Again, don't get it too wet or it will crack as it dries. Hope this helps. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted February 13, 2021 Share Posted February 13, 2021 I saw a forge like that many years ago and the fire pot was made into a ducks nest as Stash suggested. The whole table was lined with clay, about up about to the low sections in the ends. Could have been bricks too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4oclockshadow Posted February 18, 2021 Author Share Posted February 18, 2021 Hello and thank you for the replies. I did line the fire pot/duck's nest, but left the rest of of the pan stay as is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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