[TheForge] charcoal firepots

[Demon Buddha]

Rafter Lazy C wrote:
> 
> I have a forge that I made from an old  brake drum and an electric
> blower with a light dimmer switch for blower control...

	First off, I would get rid of the dimmer and build a blast
	gate.  I have used dimmers and as far as I'm concerned, I
	would rather use a bellows.  The blast control sucks IMO.
	A gate will give you a whole world better control.

> Also, I get huge amounts of clinker in this forge...  
> Let
> me know what you all think are the reasons for this, please. 

	Brake drum forges are OK to start with, especially when $$
	is tight, but I think the lack of depth poses a problem in
	terms of a fire's ability to idle away for any appreciable
	length of time.  I like a deeper fire.

	As for clinker, that's usually a function of how good the
	coal is.  I'm not aware of any physical characteristic of
	a forge that would change the AMOUNT of clinker.  Could it
	be that the rivet forge is ferrying the clinker away from
	the active zone of the fire whereas the drum forge is not?