Small forge build

[Tally ZJ]

Got a piece of track rail today! I went to see the old man I got the Delta drill press from, and my Airco welder, to pay him some money on the press.

He had a nice piece of rail laying there and he gave it to me free. Said he didn't need it.

He also showed me one of his real anvils. He had one that was just under 300lb. He said he has turned down a $1000 for it. Was made in 1927.

[Tally ZJ]

Ok, you guys don't all get in line at once to order one of my new fire poker tools. I can only make one per afternoon!

Yep, I am now a blacksmiff


Ok, enough of the BS.

This is my first tool. I needed a fire poker/coal raker tool. This was a lot harder than it looks to make. I can see now that this will be a steep learning curve.

[mudbug]

But it looks good..

[akabull]

Originally Posted by mudbug

But it looks good..

+1! I think it is great for a first go around. I don't think I will do as well whenever I get around to building a much wanted forge.

[Tally ZJ]

Originally Posted by akabull

+1! I think it is great for a first go around. I don't think I will do as well whenever I get around to building a much wanted forge.

Sure you will! It wasn't a difficult thing but it was a little frustrating to get the metal to go where I wanted. I did not draw my twist out enough to have the style twist I wanted. It was too short.

I gotta get some real coal too. That hardwood charcoal burns up so fast I only get about an hour of heat from a full bag.

[Ironman]

Originally Posted by Tally ZJ

I gotta get some real coal too. That hardwood charcoal burns up so fast I only get about an hour of heat from a full bag.

I have worked with my own home made birch charcoal, and I believe you need less air than with coal. I suggest trying less wind and also shut down the air when you are not heating. The fire won't go out.

[SmokinDodge]

Tally lump charcoal is super easy to make, if you have access to some firewood. A thirty gallon drum filled with wood scraps inverted into a 55 gal drum filled with fire works well.

I've been making lump for about 2 years now, for some reason I find it relaxing to make.

[Tally ZJ]

Originally Posted by Ironman

I have worked with my own home made birch charcoal, and I believe you need less air than with coal. I suggest trying less wind and also shut down the air when you are not heating. The fire won't go out.

I believe you are correct. I definitely shut down the blower when I am finished with a heat.

Originally Posted by SmokinDodge

Tally lump charcoal is super easy to make, if you have access to some firewood. A thirty gallon drum filled with wood scraps inverted into a 55 gal drum filled with fire works well.

I've been making lump for about 2 years now, for some reason I find it relaxing to make.

Can you elaborate a little more?

[Tally ZJ]

What I need now is a good set of tongs. I don't have the experience yet to make a good set and the cheap assed pliers I am using now just won't hold the steel.

What works better in the mean time?

[mudbug]

I knew I'd saved this for someone...... If not myself...

http://kensiron.com/quick_tongs.html

$10 is hard to beat (no pun intended)