Forge bodies

J. Neilson

J. Neilson

Joined
Feb 6, 2001
Messages
3,621
Anyone know where I can find pipe (about 10" diameter) for forge bodies? I'm trying like heck to finish up this press and when I do I'm know I'm going to need a bigger forge. I can only fit about a 3" stack in my current welding forge and I read all these fellas using 4-5" stacks with a press. :eek: :D :cool:
 
Might go to the junk yard and see if you can get your hands on an old pressure tank (the kind you have in your house if you have a well) I've seen people cut the ends out of them and use them as pipe before.
If you can find someone that puts in driveways/does excavating you might be able to get a cut off, problem is most folks have switched over to concrete pipe now.
 
My heat treating forge is made from a water heater tank J. Junkyard or roadside seems a good place to find one.
 
Old propane bottles work just fine. Check with your local propane dealer. They may already have one with the valve removed.
 
J., is there a pipe supply nearby? Have them sell you a piece of "drop". I'd go for 12" though, and put two layers of 1" kaowool, plus a really good coating of Satinite or whatever you like. Darren sold me some sort of Aluminum mix that is susposed to be good for flux control, that you might check into. Anyway, two layers of kao will reduce the forge to about 6" effective area, which is about what you're looking for. Thats how I build mine, using T-Rex burners. If I remember correctly, you use forced air though. You'll really be set up with a new forge and a new press! I can't wait to see what all you start producing later this year! You and Tess have really come a long way since you started, made yourself a great name.
 
J.
i've got a source, its 1/4" or 3/8" usually. i've drawn up a forge design and hes going to cut in the burner ports and make me some doors.
Do you ever get over this way. If so give me dimensions and i'll see if I can snag a piece.
Last time I was there he had several pieces either 10" or 12" in. dia. and about 12" to 18" long
Pat
 
A while back I used an old beer keg....It worked fine. If I can find it I might rebuild it. I'll let you know how it works.
 
J. what length do you need? IG has some 10 or 12" pipe at his house, i can bring one to the CT show for you if its the right size. shoot me an e-mail
 
harbor freight has a sale on air bubbles. $15.00 or so IIRC

steel auto wheels and old water heaters, tool boxs and BBQ's those little Webers would be nice. :D :D :D
 
You might try the yellow pages under "Well Drilling". They use all sizes of pipe for well casing and are bound to have some scrap pieces laying around. I found a 3' X 12" piece at a local well drilling outfit. Good luck.

Rick
 
I found mine sitting all lonely at a construction site after they had finished up. It was 12" Dia x 40" Lg x 5/16" Thk. About pulled my grunt getting that one in the back of the truck :D Cut it in half in our machine shop.
 
Smaller hot water tank. Really don't need a lot of mass for the shell if your usin' 2" of kaowool.
I have a thick-walled one with poured refrac and it's a bear to move. bruce
 
Try looking in the yellow pages for companies that supply pipe for the oil business, if they have it in your area. I also see this place, on the way to work, that makes BBQ trailers, the ones for catering. They usually have pieces of pipe laying around their yard. I suspect they get if from the oil industry too.

If you are welding on pieces anyways, and the thickness does not really matter, is it possible to have a sheet metal shop roll some 1/8 inch sheet into a tube for you?

Phil
 
Well!!! Like GrassHoppa said we got some here. You could of had your pick, if you would of came to the HI. :rolleyes: :D
 
Thanks for all the great ideas guys. I think Mike and George have got me all set up now. There are no junk/scrap yards withing a couple hours of here and the last time I tried opening a propane tank it was with a rifle from a distance.......never mind that. The water heater tank may have some new possibilities in the near future...thinking again. Anyway, thanks again. I can always count on you guys for alot of help. I'm hopeig the have the press finished within the next week and I'll post pix. Thanks again.
 
Damm J. New forge, milling machine, working press. I've been away too long. I'm not gonna recognize the place next time I'm down.
I just replaced a 40 gallon water heater. You're welcome to the old one if you want it.
Ed
 
Bring it on down Ed. You know I don't let anything go to waste. We'll have alot to play with next time you take a trip down. The press should be fun it's a 40 ton (two cylinder) H-press, all self contained in one unit. Maybe we can squish out some more "cats".
:D
I'm also making a tiny forge (4" diameter pipe) for some demos I have to do this summer for the local kids summer program. We'll have them in all sizes soon.
:rolleyes:
 
Man, you need it, George has got it. I was actually able to find some 4" locally when I was making my "anvil bend" Jig for big bowies. Picked up a foot and only used a 4" length for the jig. Thanks again.
 
Try calling a local sheet metal shop. I had mine rolled from 10 gauge black iron; 12"x18". It was about $60.

I would much rather find some pipe...I think I'll take everyone's suggestion and find a pipe manufacturer :) before I go back to the sheet metal shop.

Matt
 
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