I have a friend named Ted who is a fellow carpenter...but he is also a very good smithy (Changed to smith or blacksmith, per Dave S. ;D). He has made custom hold-down clamps for my timber-framed sawhorses, but more importantly...he has re-kindled my interest in "pounding hot iron".
So after doing a search on the FF on blacksmithing and forges, I learned that I could make my own forge made from a used brake drum...I did a Google search and found youtube videos and an informative forum called...
iforgeiron.com
I found out that guys use pieces and parts to make these forges for little or no money...so, here's my forge build.
I started out with a junk push lawnmower and stripped off the blade and motor, saved the deck and the handle pieces.
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(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/15824/IMG_1437.JPG)
I went down to the local auto mechanic and bought a used brake drums off of a truck for $2.
I bought 2" black pipe fitting for the airway and ash dump.
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(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/15824/IMG_1419.JPG)
I flipped the mower deck upside-down and cut a larger opening so that the lip of the brake drum would keep it suspended without falling through. I mounted the mower deck to an old portable table saw stand, and attached a pair of feed bin wheels using steel nail-stakes (for setting concrete forms) as axles.
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I bought a 8" cast steel floor drain and added three bolts (to help keep it slightly elevated to allow more air) and used it in the bottom of the drum to allow the air to feed the fire without the charcoal falling down the pipe.
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I am currently using a two speed hairdryer for my air source, but I might opt for an antique hand crank blower...if I can find one cheap.
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(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/15824/IMG_1446.JPG)
I did notch the drum on opposite sides so that I can lay flat stock or rod across the fire, and I have a tractor exhaust cap (not pictured) on the lower pipe to control the air flow and ash dump.
Ted also recommended that I use fire brick to try and trap the heat and force it towards the center of the "fire-pit" to help conserve fuel and have better heats. The bricks are movable and really help.
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Now I just have to figure out how to mount my post-vise to the side of it, and make some type of bracket to hang my tongs from.
Well, that's my portable "Rat-Rod" brake drum forge...stay tuned for future add-ons.
Rooster
Awesome! thats something i need to do
Nice build. Anxious to see how it works for you.
Interesting and very clever
That is very innovative. I love something outta nothing. :)
Can't doing anything but smile when I see this......pretty good idea Rooster. :)
I'm staying tuned to see some iron projects come out of your forge. ;D I have all that kicking around accept for the table saw top. But in my metal pile I could build a table.
That is awesome Rooster 8)
Very cool! Scrounging up whatever you have on hand and making something new out of it is an essential smithing skill. :) Oh, a smith is a blacksmith, a smithy is the building he works in. Wouldn't want your friend to get mad at you because he thought you think he looks like a small dimly lit building puffing coal smoke. :D
Excellent post, Rooster.
Thanks for letting us share.
That's neat. I like making something from a bunch of nothing parts. This looks like something I may have to try.
I have one of those brake drum forges. It works just fine for what I do. Mind has a little flap damper in the pipe right below the grate to refine airflow a bit.
I like your grate...might copy that. :)
I pick up charcoal after burning slabs for fuel.
And...some more photos:
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/15824/IMG_1526.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/15824/IMG_1528.JPG)
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(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/15824/IMG_1533.JPG)
Here I used the upper handle for an adjustable long rest.
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(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/15824/IMG_1532.JPG)
And these are two of the first projects...I learned that the best way to develop skills is to make tools for the forge, which then you can use to make more tools for the forge,...and so on, and so on...
Fire tender on the left and tongs on the right.
Rooster
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/15824/IMG_1530.JPG)
Clever little guy,ain't ya. ;D Where's your anvil? I have bookmarked this. I'm a thinking again. :D
Check out Post #65
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,61933.60.html
Before:
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After:
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/15824/IMG_1391.JPG)
Thanks for all the responses and encouragement!!! More to come!
Rooster
You certainly have the knack, Rooster. Don't mount your leg vise on the forge (and if that's not what you were thinking, kindly disregard this post). Mount your leg vise near the forge. You could use a log standing on end, exactly the right length, or if you're working on a dirt floor, sink a large post into the ground. iforgeiron, probably has lots of information about mounting post vises, as you've probably noticed by now.
Rooster,I forgot about that thread and I posted in it too. ::)
Hey Craig, I just found this thread. Call me next time you're gonna "play" at the forge. I'd like to come over and watch/help 8)
Stumpy,
You are always welcome at my place!!! I just got the wood stove in the house fired up last week, and I want to make some fire place tools for it. I'll call you and let you know.
Thanks again to everyone for their comments and questions.
Rooster