My forge!!

H

HASSAN CHOP!

Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Messages
2
HELLOOO EVERYONE!! I thought id celebrate my first post by showing you my forge i just built last sunday. I built it in my uncles work shop with a ford f450 brake rotor, 2" pipe, scrap angle for legs and an ancient hair dryer that must be older than i am (16). After an hour of bubble gum welds attaching a plate to the hub opening on the rotor using a 7018 electrode that was not agreeing with the machine or the steadyness of my hands, i managed to get a seal. The pipe going up to the rotor looked like it was galvanised so I welded a cast end to end connector to the rotor then threaded the pipe into it. The hair dryer nozzle is tapered so it fits snug into the pipe with almost a perfect seal but a little duct tape couldnt hurt. http://www.freeimagehosting.net/lx4iz

The plate in the fire bowl sits on top of 3 bolts that sit in the rotor bolt holes raising it off the bottom but im thinking its not necessary and i should it it right on the bottom. The plate has a few holes melted through with a torch but im thinking its not enough. What do you think? http://www.freeimagehosting.net/hzuci
 
I'd drill those holes out cleaner, and add a few more. I've never seen a hub used, most people use a large drum for a ducks nest, and build a table around it. Interesting design, let us know how it works
 
I've heard using galvanized anything for forges is bad juju. Can anyone clarify?


Good job on taking some initiative and making that though. Pretty slick for some shade tree knife making IMHO.
 
Yeah, the galvanizing is full of heavy metals and when it burns it is released into the air. It'll make you sick. Like sick sick.
 
Yes, galvanized is a very bad thing. I didn't notice the galvanized thing first. It will make you sick, and can kill you if it gets hot.
 
Spots said:
Yes, galvanized is a very bad thing. I didn't notice the galvanized thing first. It will make you sick, and can kill you if it gets hot.
Click to expand...

ill take a closeup picture of the pipe for you guys to see before i use it. if it is i can just un screw it and put another on.
 
That galvy pipe is nowhere near close enough to the firepot to smoke the zinc off. I doubt it will get too hot to touch in normal use.

Main issue I see is it's basically a firepot with no hearth. So, you have no area for fuel storage, and with coal, not much space to pre-burn into coke as it moves inwards. Keep an eye out for some steel plate of at least 1/8" thickness, cut a big hole in the center, and weld it down to the hub so you have somewhat of a pan surrounding the center of the fire.

You're real close to having a decently working first forge, congrats.

Another issue- it looks in the pic as if the edges of the tuyere grate (drilled holes) are allowing air to enter the pot on the sides as well. If you want to be able to control the size and shape of your fire much, this could work against you. Like Sam says, I'd just drill some more holes in the center and make sure air is not entering the fire on the sides.
 
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