ChrisL Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 I was lucky enough to buy an old bellows forge a few weeks ago. I’ve stripped it down, removed the rust, and repainted. Now it’s time to use it and I’m not sure what to do next. From what I’ve seen, I think I need some kind of bed at the bottom . But some people say that needs to be fire brick, others suggest using sand. Sand sounds much easier and I have a bag of sharp sand left over from a building project. Would that work? Any guidance greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jobtiel1 Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 Can you post a picture? AFAIK only cast iron forge beds need to be lined. I have a steel forge bed and haven't lined it and it has been working without problems for over 2 years now. ~Jobtiel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisL Posted August 30, 2022 Author Share Posted August 30, 2022 Hi Jobtiel, before and after below. Mod’s, sorry if I did this the wrong way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWISTEDWILLOW Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 Wow that’s pretty slick! Now I want one! Lol ive got both steel and cast forges, and I’ve lined my smaller steel ones to keep them from burning out but I use clay for my stuff, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 Sharp sand will be just fine. That's a really cool forge you've got there. Can we get a closeup of the casting and its lettering? Also, where in the world are you? Please add your location to your profile settings, as recommended in READ THIS FIRST. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jobtiel1 Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 I've seen this type for sale some times over here, maybe even this exact one as I've seen one for sale recently that looked a lot like this one. I think you are supposed to put in dirt or sand to create your firepot kind of like a JABOD. ~Jobtiel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisL Posted August 30, 2022 Author Share Posted August 30, 2022 Hope I'm doing this right. I'm a bit of a newbie so may get it wrong, please set me straight if I do. Thanks for the great responses everyone. I was quite pleased how it turned out in the end. I think I was lucky as it was in such good condition to start with. JHCC, I'll take a photo of the lettering later tonight and post it up tomorrow. Sorry for the dumb question, I was planning to just pour a layer of sand, about 1'' deep, in the bottom of the hearth. Does that sound OK? Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latticino Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 Sand, flux, heat sounds like a recipe for creating a glassy surface. I would be looking at other alternatives if you plan on doing any forge welding... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 I prefer clayey soil just damp enough to pack hard with a mallet or the end of a piece of framing lumber. Sand vitrifies into glass and few things are as sticky as molten glass. I'm confused by the general shape of your forge I've never seen one though. I don't understand the bent steel that restricts the size of the fire in a large shielded round pan, what it does or how it works. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 Looks to me like you could easily fill it up to the rim, leaving a hollow in front of the tuyere for the fire. That helps concentrate the heat in one place rather than spreading all over. That L-shaped piece is odd, and it's going to be very much in the way. I suspect that the brackets you've mounted it to were originally keeping some firebrick in place on the bottom and not shifting around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 I believe that is a variation on a rivet or horseshoeing forge and so not intended for long stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 It looks like an Alldays and Onions forge & bellows. You have done a top notch job of restoring it. https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Alldays_and_Onions#cite_note-2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisL Posted August 31, 2022 Author Share Posted August 31, 2022 Thanks so much for all the guidance. My wife has some old potters clay that she hasn't used, so I'm going to give that a go. I think you are right, the large L shaped metal plate is removable, so I guess it allowed for a concentrated fire maybe for horseshoes, or if removed, a larger one. Close up photo's below. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latticino Posted August 31, 2022 Share Posted August 31, 2022 If your wife also has some grog left over from her ceramics efforts I would mix a very generous amount into the clay as well. This will help with the inevitable shrinkage you are going to see when the clay dries. As Frosty noted, try to put the clay in as dry as possible, then let it dry completely before firing your forge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisL Posted August 31, 2022 Author Share Posted August 31, 2022 Thanks Latticino I'll go ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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