Hi all! I want to build my first forge. I was going to go with the fire brick route until I read about brake drums being used for wood forges. Now, I don't have a brake drum but I do have a 8" ductile iron cap for a water main recently installed at work. My question is would this be suitable once cleaned up? The parts are free to me so i figure why not.
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Ductile iron for forge?
- Thread starter Mat-A
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Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
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From what you describe, it should make a good fire pan. Weld on some legs, add a nice tuyere ( pronounced two-your) and ash dump and it will be ready to go. Get a bag of fireclay or satanite to line it with. Places like Anvilfire and Iforgeiron have lots of tutorials on building a charcoal/coal/coke forge. A simple squirrel cage blower motor and a fan speed controller ( AKA light dimmer) and a 2" gate valve will make the air supply control perfect.
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I've actually thought about it in the past, as work provides me access to tons of water main cutoffs (up to 24" diameter). Never got around to trying it.
Do be aware that most ductile iron pipe has a coating of some sort both inside and out... generally cement on the inside and asphalt on the outside. The cement probably won't hurt to leave on, but you may want to knock the outside coating off or things could get nasty when hot.
Let me know how it works out.
Do be aware that most ductile iron pipe has a coating of some sort both inside and out... generally cement on the inside and asphalt on the outside. The cement probably won't hurt to leave on, but you may want to knock the outside coating off or things could get nasty when hot.
Let me know how it works out.
Thanks for the tips on the websites bladesmth, lots of good information there! Mike, I work With underground utilities, lots of "free" stuff. Ductile pipe almost always has a coating of cement as well as an asphalt or water based coating as well. I believe diesel soaked rag will wipe/remove the coating. I will post progress!