A step by step of how i made a coal forge

[Mike Davis]

First i would like to point out that this can be accomplished for little or no money. I have $0.00 into this project.
I started off with a roller cart that i had no use for

I welded a small section of exhaust pipe, flange up so it would sit right in the hole drilled through the top of the cart

After cutting and welding the pipe i tied another pipe into it for the hair dryer to go into.

I welded a flange onto the bottom of the pipe for the trap to catch debris.

above is my cheater plate

I welded a small piece of stainless sheet to the outlet of pipe, drilled it and added good ol' michigan clay and presto! there is a dust trap and a place for all the coals to rest.

Giving her a test fire. . . all seems well, never forged with coal before. Hope it turns out well in future forging plans. If there is anything anyone wants to add to this, feel free to add!
Thanks
Mike

 

[rhrocker]

Great looking project there Mike! Say, why are batgirls little wingies sticking up, and just what is she doing?

 

[J.Wade]

Looks good,

I would place some bricks or blocks around the tweer to create a fire box to contain heat, this will help conserve fuel.


cya
jimi

 

[Mike Davis]

Thanks, i never thought of making a box for it...it did seem to go through the coal rather quick! Robert, i cant exactly say what she is doing, this is a family site after all

 

[Sam Salvati]

Mike, great work! Does the clay have a slight depression/bowl around the grate? That should be more than enough of a firebox, the bigger the firebox the larger the fire you will have to build into it, I have used many coal forges and found that one of the best was my little rivet forge which had with the coal dust making a similar sort of slight depression/bowl which made for the most efficient and controllable burning fire, from very small to very large, oxydising to reducing.

 

[Mike Davis]

Thanks Sam, Yes there is a bowl depression in the center ...probably 3 1/2" deep.I want to expand the bowl so it is a little bigger in diameter, it is probably 10" right now, might go to about 13-14". I have never made or used a coal forge, i just wanted to save some money and be productive. I had this idea for quite some time, just never got around to it. It seems to have worked out pretty well, but i think ill miss the efficiency of my gas forge...only time will tell.