Hello to all,,, I was wondering if a brake drum forge (with a decent fan) which basically only has expanded steel grating covering the air inlet hole, is big/good enough to use with charcoal. The drum is about 15 inches in diameter and the air inlet is about 4 inches across. The air is feed into the side of a 4 inch pipe welded on the bottom with a piece of plate on a bolt on the bottom for regulation. Thanks to all,,,, JM
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Drum forge+charcoal=?
- Thread starter JM Wands
- Start date
Probably. Make the fire pot deeper and cut the air blast back, maybe lay another piece of grating crosswise to the first to make the air holes smaller. Charcoal cdoesn't need as hard an air blast as coal.You can make the pot deeper with bricks or sheet steel, maybe another drum. My.02 for more on charcoal got to the tribal forums on the CKD.
My charcoal forge has a 2" pipe with 1/4" holes every 6" I built it in a wood box and lined it with clay.
My charcoal forge has a 2" pipe with 1/4" holes every 6" I built it in a wood box and lined it with clay.
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2001
- Messages
- 379
I dont think you'll have any big problem. I've been running a brake drum forge for years. the only difference is that I used 2 inch pipe instead of your 4 inch, and I've got a piece of 1/2 inch steel with holes drilled in it for a grate. (if the expanded steel burns up get a piece of plate cut to fit the bottom of the drum and drill a bunch of holes in it and use that) I've never lined mine, although I suppose I should. I've never had any problems, and I've been burning coal
sound to me like it's hammer time
sound to me like it's hammer time
- Joined
- Jan 20, 1999
- Messages
- 641
I use adobe in a washtub, but you can just burn enough wood to build up ash. A thick layer of ash will insulate well. Charcoal works better with a tuyere with a row of smaller holes rather than one big blast opening, but it can work either way. Heck, you can blow air down on top of it. Some of the truly neo-tribal smiths in the third world just build a fire on the ground and blow air at it. Charcoal is very forgiving.