Reviving an old forge

[ErikPrice1@msn.com]

 Bought that buffalo forge in California yesterday, just got home and got it in the garage. Gonna have to work on a few issues. The blower works great and is all there but there is a 3 inch triangle piece missing out of the pan. Are these weldable or are the pans cast. Will also have to replace two legs. Is there any site were I can get info or parts from? Thanks

[russ]

Some pans are cast some are not.Cut a piece of steel a little larger than the whole. Put the cut piece over the whole and patch with refractory cement. then line the pan with clay. they are supposed to be lined but a lot of people dont know that and run them with out linning them.

[gordy]

     Brokenhawk , cast iron can be weled if its not too contaminated , but I think in this case its best to go the cement route. Once you line it it"ll work for years , I have one with a Oylimpic crank blower that works just fine . By the way , you might want to check the grease in the blower bearings ?   

                                                     
                                                              

                                                     

[ErikPrice1@msn.com]

 Thanks for the info. I did not know they were lined.  I'm gonna take it completely down and rework and regrease everything before i use it . I think an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of trouble.

[Hawken50]

  Hey Brokenhawk,how big is the forge.I'm picking one up this week my stepfather left me.It about 3 feet across sits on 3 curved legs and gots a hand cranked blower.Maybe same kind.

[ErikPrice1@msn.com]

 Mines about three feet high, has six legs and the coal bowl is about 18 inches across. I'm gonna go out and take some pic's and try to post.

[Hawken50]

  Cooool

[ErikPrice1@msn.com]

Here is a pic. Put some crc rust breaker to take it apart and redo it all.

[ErikPrice1@msn.com]

Hey the photo thing worked, tried 3 times.There is a chip out of the bowl i need to fix

[Red Badger]

Sweet - I wish I could find stuff like that... But never do... just my luck

[ErikPrice1@msn.com]

 Don't give up Red Badger. The last day I was in cali, I looked on craigslist and there it was. He actually had three of them this one was the only one left by the time I called.

[NAULTRICK1]

BrokenHawk, Cast Iron can be welded but it's a little tricky, the piece either has to be preheated in an oven and kept at heat while being welded and post heated to relieve stress and the heat reduced slowly as cast iron contracts severely when cooling which causes cracks at the the weld hence the need for pre and post heat. I can be welded cold if one welds in very small increments and the weld bead tapped with a chipping hammer to distribute the cracks throughout the weld. Being a welder for over 30 yrs I have been called upon to weld cast iron many times as it is a dying skill in our disposable society and most just save themselves the trouble and purchase new, I however, enjoy the challenge and possession of the knowledge. Don't know if this helps any, but in any case good luck.

[alsask]

To weld cast iron use Nirod.  Get the rod with the highest percentage of nickel in it you can buy.  Stitch weld it like Naultrick says and peen the beads as you go.

[ErikPrice1@msn.com]

 Sound advise. Thank you. Will have to find someone in my area who does it. I'm just learning how to weld. This is beyond my scope.

[ErikPrice1@msn.com]

When bolting this thing back together should I use stainless or regular bolts. Will the temps affect them?