[TheForge] Forges

[Saint Phlip]

I dunno WHY that guy is so down on brake drum forges. Set up properly,
they work just fine. Only thing I bought for it was the 11 guage steel
for the 2' X 3' table, and the wing nuts and bolts to put it together-
everything else was scrounged. The brake drum was a minor hassle-
hadda take a chisel and chip off all the flanges- but I learned to
choose a drum without flanges. Sawing through the axle for the biscuit
for the clinker breaker was a bit of a chore, but as Andy intended, I
was certainly a lot better with a hacksaw when I was done ;-) Rest of
it was scrounged bed frame for the edges and the legs, and a piece of
stainless pipe a friend gave me to replace the original air intake,
which was too small, that John Husvar welded on for me- and from that,
I learned what sizes I need for a minimum.

This little forge has been working just fine for 7 years, and, when I
switched to charcoal from coal, made the transfer with no trouble.

The only reason I want to build another forge is because I want to
build a medieval period-style set up, so the new forge will be made of
wood. And, I'll likely build a couple more forges, for teaching
purposes- saw a design using a galvinized tub I really like. They look
like they'd be easy to stack and transport. And, should work well with
the box style bellows I'll be making.

But, back to the wooden forge.

What size and shape of a fire pot do you guys suggest? Charcoal needs
a deeper fire, but I was thinking of going more oval, instead of
round, for longer pieces, and keeping the same depth as my brake drum,
and piling the charcoal, as I have been for the greater depth at need
in the brake drum forge. Was thinking, maybe 6 inches by 12 inches.
Any suggestions? Keep in mind, I do LIGHT smithing- if I can't get
pissed and throw the piece through the window, I had no business
working on it in the first place ;-)

-- 
Saint Phlip

Heat it up
Hit it hard
Repent as necessary.

Priorities:

It's the smith who makes the tools, not the tools which make the smith.

Blessed be the self-righteous, for they shall inherit themselves.