How to build a coal burning forge

[Frodo]

You need 2 55 gallon drums. cut the bottom out of one, and 25% of the side
see my picture of mine. it will also need an exhaust hole cut into the top

on the other drum, you need to cut a hole for a cast iron brake drum to fit into the top
a hole for the blower pipe
and on as a cleanout. to access the 2'' cap

for your blower. try and find a gas furnace exhaust blower like the one in the picture
if not. you can use a hair dryer. but you will go through a bunch of them

use the flex dryer vent hose to hook up the blower the the pipe

 

[Meerkat]

That looks like a cool gadget Frodo.

 

[Bacpacker]

Nice design. I was going to build one from an old gas grill and use a old brake drum as a firepit and hook up an old hand cranked blower to it. But ran across a guy about 50 miles from here that wheels and deals in old blacksmith gear. I traded him my blower for a old forge, complete with stand and a smaller blower. It works great and for small jobs will do all I'll need.

 

[Frodo]

Nice design. I was going to build one from an old gas grill and use a old brake drum as a firepit and hook up an old hand cranked blower to it. But ran across a guy about 50 miles from here that wheels and deals in old blacksmith gear. I traded him my blower for a old forge, complete with stand and a smaller blower. It works great and for small jobs will do all I'll need.

Because of my copd I can no longer play with fire i gave my to a guy that wanted to learn.
the smoke and fumes put me in the hospital.
If you are willing. I need a new round knife. I will trade you some type of leather work for it.
here is a little trinket that sells pretty good at flea markets

 

[Bacpacker]

I have yet to build a fire in it. I bought it with the I mention of learning a new skill. So far life has been in the way.

 

[Patchouli]

Have you built a fire in yours yet, @Bacpacker ?

 

[Bacpacker]

Nope never had a chance. Too many other projects in the works.
Still need to get an anvil. I've got a small 50 let, but its beat up and broken. I'd like to find a 120 to 180 lber

 

[dademoss]

Nope never had a chance. Too many other projects in the works.
Still need to get an anvil. I've got a small 50 let, but its beat up and broken. I'd like to find a 120 to 180 lber

The loons around here want 2X the cost of a new high quality anvil for some POS they dug out of a barn that will take weeks of work to make useful again.

 

[Bacpacker]

Last time I looked they were 3 to 4 dollars a pound. Haven't looked in a couple years

 

[hiwall]

My son just bought a new USA-made steel 112# for about $500 delivered.
I bought a new China-made steel 88# for $200 delivered. We are both happy enough with what we received.
I have used the small forge I made a few times now and it seems to work fine. Cannot buy coal anywhere close to where I live so I will likely buy a propane forge too.

 

[Bacpacker]

Tractor Supply sells it here in the fall and winter

 

[dademoss]

Tractor Supply sells it here in the fall and winter

Here too, but I went with propane. I also discovered I am not a blacksmith

 

[Bacpacker]

I suspect that might be the same in my vase

 

[joel]

You can use oil drums or brick & fire bricks, welded frames.

 

[joel]

https://www.homesteadingforum.org/threads/we-built-a-wood-fired-forge.11569/