[TheForge] Firepot Repair/Replacement Questions

[jerry Frost]

Laurel Machine and Foundry used to cast pretty nice fire pots. I just
checked and their site doesn't have a search function so I don't know if
they still offer them. You'd have to contact them and ask. Is anyone near
putting on an iron pour? We have one locally every June so if anyone needed
one we'd just take the class from Pat and cast what we wanted. In fact right
now the club's discussing what we want on bench top swage blocks.

Setting up a cupola melter and making it a club event might be a possibility
but it'd take demand and someone who knows what they're doing. Just tapping
the cupola isn't for the beginner figuring it out as they go.

Jer

-----Original Message-----
From: TheForge [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bruce
.
Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 5:47 AM
To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: [TheForge] Firepot Repair/Replacement Questions

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