Forge question

[Crewdawg445]

Yes the harbor freight offerings are a complete waste of money and weight IMO.

 

[eggwelder]

We have princess Auto, Canadas version of Harbour freight. same crap painted a different colour. I will look up Ms Sims and the back yard blacksmith.

 

[Curt]

Two of my favorite books on iron ware are Early American Antique Country Furnishings By G C Neumann and Antique Ironware The Sorber collection by Don Plummer.They are all about some of the best signed pieces in U S colletions.High priced books but you can get them from inter library loan also .But to my way of thinkin books are just like good tool ,its hard to do good work with out them.Curt

 

[coloradoclyde]

Make or buy both.....
I have one of these...

Coal can be hard to get....it creates a fire hazard, takes longer to get going and cannot be instantly turned off...I love using a coal forge, but many of my projects are quick and simple.....so I end up using a torch...I wish I had a propane forge for ease and convenience.....
Coal is fun and nostalgic, but propane is easier and easier means more frequent forging...

 

[Curt]

C Clyde If you plan out enough projects say a half a days worth you will be surprised how cheap coal realy is compared to a torch.And it is the old ways were talkin about here I think.But use what you have available .It is very addictive i do know that.Curt

 

[coloradoclyde]

I agree....I just don't do enough regularly to justify the coal alone ....plus it's difficult to get coal my area.... for years it was almost impossible to find and I had to resort to charcoal....

 

[faste350]

where in Ohio are you located?

 

[jjackson]

http://s1024.photobucket.com/user/Shortstarter1/Mobile Uploads/story[/img]


I made this break drum forge to make rail road spike knives. A couple weekends ago I used it to melt lead. It's very handy and I use wood scraps for fuel and to melt the lead I used the chairs in the background. Recycle woot!!

 

[pondoro]

where in Ohio are you located?

Cincinnati area.

The one and two brick forges made with carvable refractory brick look interesting but I can find no local sellers. The bricks are cheap on ebay but the shipping is crazy, $5 for a brick but $15 for shipping.

 

[coloradoclyde]

You posted the picture wrong....I'll fix it...

 

[Obi-Wan Cannoli]

pic?

sorry I don't own a camera.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Cell phone?

 

[jjackson]

Ty!

 

[faste350]

too bad we are so far appart(5-6 hours), or we could get together at my shop or i could have brought my portable set up to you. although alot of money, a pot from centaur forge is the way to go for coal. a 12" round with shaker and draft control is $240.00 and then it is just a matter of building something to put it in, which can be as simple as a metal box of sorts and some fire brick. anthracite coal is all i have used for 25+ years and it has worked very well for me. feel free to pm me if i can help.

 

[Obi-Wan Cannoli]

Cell phone?

just an old burner without a camera or minutes on it...that is why I scan everything

 

[coloradoclyde]

Cameras are super cheap these days....there a valuable tool to have....

 

[Obi-Wan Cannoli]

Cameras are super cheap these days....there a valuable tool to have....

I am single and spend most of my time trying to forget things I've done, not remember them...camera ain't happening. sorry

 

[coloradoclyde]

I am single and spend most of my time trying to forget things I've done, not remember them

One regret will lead to another :shake:

 

[Obi-Wan Cannoli]

One regret will lead to another :shake:

that's a fact