The forge is done..
- Thread starter great white tj
- Start date
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great white tj
Well-known member
Yes, it is easy to get here..
clarence wetzel
Active member
nice simple setup for cheap keep us updated on how it does .
ilovevocs
Well-known member
I like it.
Ed ke6bnl
Well-known member
what can you use if coal is not in your area. like So. California
you can use lump charcoal. I use it when I run out of coal since they don't sell it very long, usually they get a load in the fall and when it's gone Ihave to wait until next year. does not burn quite as hot or as long as coal, but still gets hot enough with the blower to melt steel. I can't always find the small pea sized coal either so I bust some of the bigger pieces up and mix with lump charcoal too...
Ed ke6bnl
Well-known member
I want to make one I do have hand forge blower, I like the build and the use of an old BBQ
I have more than one laying around, but I like anything metal. NICE JOB
I have more than one laying around, but I like anything metal. NICE JOB
RustnGrease
Well-known member
Nice work TJ, can do alot with a simple rotor forge, thats where i started out. Name of the game is to heat and beat. The fancy forges do the same, just with a heftier price tag. Will you be using Anthracite or bituminous/blacksmithing coal?
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great white tj
Well-known member
I am using bituminous.
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great white tj
Well-known member
That's very cool. I've always wanted to build a forge and just have never gotten around to it as I never thought about something as simple as this one. So if you guys don't mind answering, what's the difference between using lump charcoal, anthracite or bituminous. Is it just a temp thing or how long it will last or even impurities?. Thanks, Cam
RustnGrease
Well-known member
LX: in general lump charcoal isn't as dense as coal, hence you need 5-10X charcaol compared to regular coal. While you can use anthracite in a forges, its more of a PITA. I was using anthracite until i got my hands on bituminous. Alot of heat, easier to control and doesn't need nearly as much air to keep it going.
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great white tj
Well-known member
The bituminous is small 3/4 to 1/2 " in size. It will leave larger lumps when done and then you can reuse the leftovers. I am still new to all this but there is a lot of info out there. Google rotor or brake drum forges and have some fun.
What would you say the temperature of the forge is, ball park? I have no clue on forging metals but have been looking for creating something to melt metals and do some very small scale casting. The idea of not having to create some crazy propane set up is appealing.
mine gets hot enough to completely obliterate steel if I leave it in too long. but I made a crucible out of a small steel co2 tank and filled it with some de-primed brass shells and misc. brass fittings to see if I could melt brass and I could not get it hot enough...I was able to melt aluminum however, so I am guessing in the 1300 degree F range