New Coal Forge Build! (pic heavy)

[digr]

Nice build!!!!! Is this you??

[Scratch]

Originally Posted by digr

Nice build!!!!! Is this you??

Yes, I used to run a small metalworks shop, but was injured and now I became a home based gun dealer. I still have all my tools and stuff, metalworking is just a hobby for me now.

You might be wondering why I would put those big "EdgeMetalworks.net" signs on my forge if I don't do metal anymore and nobody is going to see it...

...I designed this forge many years ago and cut out a lot of the parts for it back when I was still a fab shop. I just recently finished the assembly of it though, and thought I might as well put the signs on there since I had them cut out already.

[Scratch]

Ok... I decided to break in the forge tonight... (actually I was just really craving a peanut butter cup s'more!)
Works well for that anyways!

[LW Hiway]

I've never used a forge with a hood so maybe I'm missing a way better experience... Are even outdoor forges way better with a hood?

I prefer a somewhat partitioned side features, but there is always a hood and flue even if outside where most of my work is done.

I prefer the sides so I can pull out or slide back and in to open up the mouth, or semi surround the fire of the heat.

It's my preference to have the gasses, smoke, fumes etc going to the back of the forge and not in my face. Same reason I hate to open a bbq pit when it's cooking.

The reason most important for movable sides is due to sometimes having a 3' and some inches of blade and wanting to heat a good 14 or so inches of the edge. More room across the fire as needed. The forge I use for these long blades has a fire box that I can open sideways to the front to allow a fire pit of about 20" long with 3 air ports underneath for lots of air to move into the coal. With this much fire/coal involved I usually wait for 2 to 3 or more sets of blades.

Most of my friends/customers have 3 decked batwing mowers, so 6 blades for the customers mower. I'll stoke for that much work when I get it.

Now here it gets interesting, the last few times I edged blades, the friend wanted to try his hand at a little hammering. So, while I'm working on his blades and he's paying for my time and fuel, he's heating a few pieces of steel and having me show him how to use the power hammer and his arm with a hammer.

It usually makes a customer appreciate paying someone else for the sweat and toil in the future needs lol

I've read and watched a few too many videos in B&W of days gone by, ship building by hand and hammer riveting, steel sky scraper builds of the 20's and into the early 50's where they still used rivets heated with coal. I tend to use their type hooded affairs with some feet for flue above.

(not that I plan on building alot of forges...

It seems if you make one, others will follow soon enough. lol I've got them using disc brake rotors, rear drums, tank ends, plow blades. Hell I still have the first s/s sink I first used in the early(very)60's.

[LW Hiway]

Ok Scratch, I've got two days in the shop starting at 05:00 Sat morning and will finish the next best forge sitting in pieces now for a few years in the shop.

Not a new idea to me or others, with a few simple needs for my twilight years with the fire. Hopefully I'll have no need for building another, but I'm sure I can eventually find some reason to do so.

I wonder if a few of those 2" pillow block bearings would be of benefit on this. lol

[Scratch]

Originally Posted by LW Hiway

Ok Scratch, I've got two days in the shop starting at 05:00 Sat morning and will finish the next best forge sitting in pieces now for a few years in the shop.

Not a new idea to me or others, with a few simple needs for my twilight years with the fire. Hopefully I'll have no need for building another, but I'm sure I can eventually find some reason to do so.

I wonder if a few of those 2" pillow block bearings would be of benefit on this. lol

Can't wait to see what you got!

[allessence]

LwHiway. I can't wait to see it either.. Pictures, pictures, pictures..

Those smores look good.. never thought about using peanut butter cups,, Dang that would get me in trouble..

[LW Hiway]

Jen, Scratch, I got a few moments at the farm this past weekend, but with the Birthday stuff I had planned for a few weeks for my Uncle and of course work, I touched the pieces that were together and made sure the rest of the cut parts were within eyesight.

I noticed this weekend that moving all of the wood working (big tools) tools needed to be moved out of the shop. The rest of them anyway and into the garage.

I've got a few things coming up that will need both the garage and the shop so I guess table saws, bandsaws etc for wood will be moved to the pump shed mini shop. sigh. Everything could use another 3k sq ft increase in sizes. I again am running out of space. Never frickin ending battle.

With winter on it's way I need to have room to work inside and less outside exposed.

[biker55]

just saw this. very nice work on the forge. I would also like to build a better forge when I have the time. presently I'm utilizing a used propane tank. I envy you because of the cnc machine. must make cutting things a lot easier.