[TheForge] forge/foundry

Wed Feb 27 09:55:04 2002

I could probably envision a single unit that could work for both casting 
and blacksmithing, however I've never seen one. What I have seen (and would 
envision combining) is this:

I have a riveter's forge, which is basically a large shallow pan. I poured 
refractory cement in the bottom to line it.

Lindsay Publications sells a series of books by David Gingery. The first 
book in the series is about making a charcoal foundry 
(http://www.lindsaybks.com/dgjp/djgbk/char/index.html) This is basically a 
big popcorn tin with the bottom and walls lined with refractory cement. A 
lid of refractory is also used. Air blast in the side of the tin near the 
bottom and you've got a place to burn the charcoal and place your crucible 
holding the metal to melt.

Each of these seem simple enough (and there have been plenty of people 
making forges out of tire rims that other options are available) that I 
can't see any reason why the young man in Vermont can't have both.

If however you do need to have a combined thing... I would do something 
like this: Make the bottom pan with a side blast for air out of refractory 
cement. This becomes the basic forge. (A couple of high-temperature fire 
bricks to keep the coal fire contained) Then make a tube and lid of 
refractory cement that become the body of the foundry. Whatever air source 
you used for the forge could be used for the foundry, with the 
understanding that the foundry would probably need more constant air than 
forging does. When you wish to cast metal, simply place the tube on the 
base, fill with charcoal, place in your crucible with metal, put on the 
lid, and wait.

I could envision a problem with height since for forging you'd probably 
want a waist-high forging area (or thereabouts) and for casting you'd want 
the foundry on the ground so you can reach in with your tongs to remove the 
crucible.

That's how I would do it if I had to make an all in 1, however as I hinted 
earlier... I see them as easy enough to make/scrounge that I'd probably 
simply go with both. :-D

Aaron Silver
*Standard disclaimers apply. I've yet to try foundry building and casting, 
so you're on your own. I'm simply describing what I've read and 
interpolated, so if you die don't come and haunt me!

At 10:01 PM 2/26/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>Hello to all, and thanks for reading this, and even more thanks to those 
>who can answer this.  I have done some blacksmithing, have a coal forge at 
>the house...and several people I associate with know this.  At a class I 
>am presently taking, a gentleman asked me if its possible, to combine a 
>coal forge and a casting foundry (not sure he or I are using the correct 
>term here).  His son is in Vermont at present, and does a fair bit of 
>blacksmithing.  Dads passion seems to be more into a casting mode.... so 
>he would like to build an apparatus that can be used for both.  Some 
>changing over is to be expected, but as far as operating ranges, and the 
>like, im not sure so I figured I would ask you all, and see what comes of 
>the whole mess.
>
>thank you very much for your time/replies.
>
>chris caouette
>Surtetude
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