old wood burning stove as a forge

B

Bill77

Joined
Oct 23, 2007
Messages
5
Hi all,
Brand new to the forums and I was wondering if these would make a good forge body. I've only ever forged in a campfire and I'd like to try to build my own forge as cheaply as I can. I've got access to 2 of them (lady at work wants them gone). Would it be worth my time to try and make a forge out of them? Are there any major flaws/setbacks to this that you guys can see? Any advantages? Would I need to insulate the interior/exterior etc.? I appreciate all comments and advice.

Thanks,

Bill
 
sorry. it would be coke or charcoal for fuel with possible upgrade to propane later...not sure what kind of stove
 
i would recommended propane...charcoal is ok ...and as long as they are solid and well constructed they should be a decent forge...but dont forget tongs gloves and a way to read the temp.....
 
The first thing that occurs to me is, depending on the condition of the stoves and who you know, you could go get the stoves, sell them, and use the money to buy a nice purpose-built forge.

Need a lot more details to know whether that's practical or not, but it's a thought, at least :D
 
if you're doing charcoal etc. how'bout getting a used pickup truck brake drum and making a brakedrum forge?

-Page
 
You COULD line one with a lot of K-wool,and add a propane burner (coke or coal would not work in a closed system), but it wouldn't be A) a good forge, and B) cost effective. All you would be salvaging is the shell for your forge. A waste basket will do just fine (actually better than a wood stove). The option of selling them for any amount you can get ($10 bucks is $10 bucks) and building or buying a proper forge is the one to go with.
Stacy
 
Sell them to someone who wants the charm and character of a wood stove.

It seems like many people move their forges outside to use them. If the stoves are made of cast iron, they will probably be pretty heavy , making your forge hard to move. Cast iron is also rather brittle and repairs are difficult to make. You probably have to clean it out really well before you can get the insulation to stick to the inside. I found out how messy that job is when I rebuilt a cook stove in New Zealand.

Phil
 
these things are exactly what I was wanting to know. might not even fool with going to get them now. The brake drum forge is sounding interesting though..

Thanks again!

Bill
 
I started with a drum break forge and was not happy with it at all. Then I went to the forge-b-q idea and that was fine but the neighbors didn't like that very much at all. So I went with a propane forge. Now I'm in the middle of building one just for damascus. The propane ones are really not that hard to build.

-Mike Sheffield
 
That site just provided hours of reading for me!! I think I'm going to go with a propane forge. can build to suit my needs. I think I know of a source for steel tanks. local scuba shop might have some old ones that won't pass hydrostatic test: :thumbup: thanks all for saving me on helluva backache!!

Bill
 
I'm happy I can help! I think you made a very good decision. The Ellis' are really great and have great products. If you don't want to buy a burner from them Indian George has a really great burner building tutorial. http://www.indiangeorgesknives.com/building_a_forge.html

-Mike Sheffield

P.S. Don't forget to fill in your personal information so we know where you are and if anybody lives near you. Other knifemakers make things sooo much easier.
 
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