[TheForge] Firepot Repair/Replacement Questions

[Bob]

     S.O.F.A. - Southern Ohio Forge & Anvil -  has a firepot that in my 
opinion cannot be beat. It is cast iron 5/8 to 3/4 inch thick, about 6 
to 7 inches deep, with clinker breaker and gravity ash dump gate. They 
have replacement parts available should you ever need them. I have had 
mine since 1987.

Bob Willman
The Eagle's Anvil
Bowling Green, Ohio
WB8NQW

We must reject the idea that every time a law's broken, society
is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the
American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.

Ronald Reagan

On 2/17/2015 9:47 AM, Bruce . wrote:
> We had a burn-through of one of our crummy firepots.  There are cracks and
> a significant hole.  It's not worth repairing.  Money isn't a major issue
> here, though I don't like wasting it.  I would like to get the forge back
> into use ASAP.
>
> Three things:
> 1) Is it worth patching the thing for the short term.  If so, how?
> My though it to forge a "patch" for the one cracked side from 1/4" steel
> plate, and to bolt it in place, using refractory cement between the two
> layers.  Anyone have any experience?  We have some experience welding on
> cast-iron anvils, and I really don't want to go there...
>
> 2) What cast iron firepots are worth buying these days?
> Cheapest I've seen previously is $375, and I'm not sure of the quality.
> Centaur.  Pieh.  There's at least one other vendor last I looked.  Anyone
> know?
>
> 3) Is it worth fabricating a firepot out of (thick) steel, or are cast iron
> pots still enough better and/or cheaper to be worth buying?
> We may not have time for this anyway, so I'm just asking.  I just drew up
> plans for a thin-walled steel firepot for demo purposes (only), and could
> modify it for thick walls & different dimensions.
>
> Bruce
> NJ
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