[TheForge] RUST-BE-GONE

[Ralph E Douglass]

Kenny O'Loughlin wrote:
> 
> I picked up an old forge with no name on it, just the No.150 on
> the blower. It has a piece of oak stick on a pivot which moves a pie shaped, counter balanced gear, which in turn rotates a shaft, via a pulley
> and a ratcheting mechanism that turns the blower. There is no belt. Whew, no I can't repeat that!
> The hearth is cracked in two but not a problem, also it is very rusty. I took lots of 35mm pic's. I wish I had a digital camera to share the process!
> 
> Well The mixture works great with baking soda, next time I go
> onto town I will get washing soda.
> 
> What do I line the hearth with? Can I mix up some sort of adobe concoction or is there an easier way, that's not to spendy?
> I paid $57.00 for the whole deal. The hearth is 18" across. It is going to need a belt, leather would be OEM but how does one get a continuous piece of leather , maybe slice a pig in the dorsal plane, frozen first to make it neat, anyone have a pig with about a 20 inch diameter?
> 
> Thank All
>
OK, first I have one simular to this. Slightly larger pan. Mine is not
lined, but then again I have retired this forge as it is rather old and
developes new cracks easily. If you are wanting to line it just use a
decent clay. You could mix a little sawdust in it and then build a wood
fire to help cure the clay and the sawdust will burn out leaving a
porous structure that will help as a thermal shield.
As for the belt I skivved the ends of a leather strap and glued them.
Worked for over a year before I had to replace. Also look at how close
the belt goes to the pan. There is one spot on the flywheel that is
rreal close, so I made a small heat shield to keep the leather from
scorching....( see experience does pay off! )

Ralph


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"Good is the enemy of Excellent. Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
Persistence is necessary for Excellence. And Persistence is a Decision."