May 12May 12 It finally happened! A real estate friend called, and said he was selling a house with a coal forge. We drove down there, and he had a forge, anvil and vise. The man was very nice, and gave it all for free! Any advice on the forge? The original blower it is on there, and the clinker breaker/ash dump too, but there is no fire pot, and in its place is a weird depression. What are y’all‘s thoughts on getting this up and running?
May 12May 12 You have been smiled upon indeed! That is a heck of a score! Regarding the table - can you take a picture showing the full table? I'm thinking it'd be easier to just use the frame to make your own firepot but seeing the full table might get better advice from others in here.
May 12May 12 Author Totally. The fire pot area is confusing me. Obviously the table has been made by someone else, but there are some original parts. The weird thing bolted in the bottom connects to the ash dump/clinker breaker. I believe this, because there are corresponding holes, and slots for the clinker breaker rod. You can see the tapered cut out for the air tube.
May 12May 12 Just a guess here, but I bet the “fire pot” was a duck’s nest style built up out of clay. Keep it fun, David
May 13May 13 Author 14 hours ago, Goods said: “fire pot” was a duck’s nest style built up out of clay. That is what I figured after a little digging. I don’t know how those are supposed to work, do you think you could draw a picture? Thanks!
May 13May 13 It looks to me like the original builder intended for the space around the clinker breaker to be filled in with clay or dirt, like this: In other words, the "firepot" is the dirt fill around the grate rather than a solid steel or cast iron fabrication. The clinker breaker itself would have the concave side up during forging, with the angled sides being rotated around to break up the clinker as needed. All in all, a great find!
May 15May 15 Here is my simple ducks nest fire pot made out of clay and a grate. The table is an old manhole cover ring. Made it in 1986 and it is still going strong. I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970
May 15May 15 17 hours ago, Irondragon Forge ClayWorks said: The table is an old manhole cover ring. Good choice!
May 16May 16 Funniest Manhole Cover Shape. with 2 Tire bead Lips?? It really doesn't matter, You have Heat!!! Enjoy the Journey!! Neil
May 16May 16 Author Thank y’all for the input, and thank you JHCC for the enlightening drawing! Perfect!
May 16May 16 15 hours ago, swedefiddle said: Funniest Manhole Cover Shape. with 2 Tire bead Lips?? Yep, the main body is made from an old semi-truck rim that was donated and I cut it down, welded legs on and welded the tuyere to it. Since then I've modified the hood for a better draw/draft and added another tong rack. The rod that the coal rake is hanging on is a sliding air gate, when I first built it, I had an electric blower and needed a way to control the air blast. The Champion Lancaster blower was also donated and I much prefer a hand cranked blower. I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970
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