I have a few links that I would like to share about forge making. Here is a washtub forge from Tim Lively...http://64.176.180.203/washtubforge.htm (http://64.176.180.203/washtubforge.htm)
Here is a smple brake drum forge...http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-forge/ (http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-forge/)
Feel free to add more links to this topic as you folks come across them or show us how you made your own forge.
This looks like a good option
http://www.zoellerforge.com/flare.html
Here is a cool permanent set up and forge build...http://www.dfoggknives.com/charcoal_forge.htm (http://www.dfoggknives.com/charcoal_forge.htm)
And here is another one that looks simple to put together...http://www.instructables.com/id/Making-a-Simple-and-Easy-Charcoal-Coal-Forge/ (http://www.instructables.com/id/Making-a-Simple-and-Easy-Charcoal-Coal-Forge/)
I traded for my coke forge, and I made my dragon's breath.
They both work very well. When I lived in Wyoming coal was cheap, so I use it for everything including heating my house. But propane is easier to get in Kansas so that is what I use now.
Colin
Colin , could you give some details on the dragons breath construction ?
Quote from: FrankG on October 30, 2008, 07:20:52 PM
Colin , could you give some details on the dragons breath construction ?
What would you like to know?
Colin
Quote from: CowboyCS on October 30, 2008, 10:01:53 PM
Quote from: FrankG on October 30, 2008, 07:20:52 PM
Colin , could you give some details on the dragons breath construction ?
What would you like to know?
Colin
EVERYTHING ;D ;D
Ummmmmmmmmmmmm, how to make one ;D ;D Propane is easy to come by here but coal is a pretty hard find .
This is the set of plans I used to base mine off of. This exact design works well and is proven and tested, A bladesmith friend of mine uses one built exactly to these plans. Mine is a slightly modified version, because I also use mine to heat a crucible for casting.
Here's the link to the pdf: http://www.abana.org/downloads/education/pipeforge.pdf (http://www.abana.org/downloads/education/pipeforge.pdf) 529kb
here's a link to the jet system I use:http://www.abana.org/ronreil/Minimongo.jpg (http://www.abana.org/ronreil/Minimongo.jpg)
Hope this helps.
Colin
Going to have to try the wash tub forge. I need one that can be stored easely.
Steven, do you have welding capabilities ?
I am getting a buzz box tommorrow
There ya go Little Bull! Once you start bangin steel, you'll have a hard time quittin! ;D
A person could make a little wheel barrow type frame for moving the forge when not in use.
Theirs a show on and the guy made one out of a wheel barrow.
The show I think you are refering to is called Forge and Anvil it comes on HGTV for those that have satalite and maybe cable.
Yepper thats the one !
Let me look into it. I will get back to ya. I'm thinking all it is is clay mixture, but I will look for sure.
Wildbull, I recommend Portland cement. It's pretty heat resistant (and recommended by other smith's)....but mix it properly or you get 3/4- gravel after a couple of heats.
Check this out for simple .
http://www.beautifuliron.com/forge_brakedrum.htm
Home Depot should have it .
wash tub was my first worked great.
I didnt have acess to any adobe so i use red clay mud scraped off my dirt track car after a satuday nite race, worked great. so if u have lots of red clay dirt thatll work or 100 percrnt clay cat litter works also,but soak it first in water before you use it or itll crack. just my 2 cents worth from trial and error.
OK who's got a million dollars they'll give me to get into this? I lin see that 'cause of my perfectionistic frame of mind I'm gonna have to larn to be a smith, cooper, cobler, gunsmith, and who knows what else to enjoy this pastime they way i want to enjoy it and to keep the history alive.... hdslp
FrankG, a wheel barrow is a great way to make a portable forge, I've seen it done at a couple of demo's. Anyone interested in the satellite show out here in the West, go to the "RFD" channel (254 I think).
Does anyone here still use a hand crank bellows for their forge ?
I came across one of the old hand crank bellows years ago and would like some ideas of how to best use it.
Jesse
Aint got a hand crank bellows yet, but do have a hand crank blower.
Voy
Some great links....thanks. I am wanting to build a coal forge soon, but still haven't decided the design I want or size. Very useful stuff....and somehow I had missed the "Blacksmithing" section of this forum yesterday (I am new) but luckily for me, Red Badger pointed me in the right direction!
Here is the washtub forge I made for less than $50.00, I use my air compressor on it as I don't have a hand cranked blower yet... just dialed the air down to about 10 psi and it works great....
(http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/JamminJim_photo/Blacksmithing/100_1161.jpg)
I used the cheapest 100%clay kitty litter I could find and put it in a 5 gal bucket with water until it tuned back to clay mud. the 1 inch gas pipe has several 1/16 hoes drilled into it and I did add an adjustable regulator to dial in the air pressure, 2 years now and still going strong.
My first forge was like the wash tub forge but using a 5 gal metal pail with 3inches of the Portland Ina shallow cone in the bottom. I cut a round "window" about 8 to 10 inches. A blow dryer was the air source. Those blow to much air so you have to have way to modify the flow. I used wood for fuel. I had a piece of rail road rail for anvil, locking pliers work as tongs. It is a cheap set up but you can do lots of forging. My next was a break drum forge.