Sunday, May 22, 2011

Build your own forge on the cheap!

This week I built a portable forge for my knife making endeavors. I used the rear brake drum from a mazda that I pulled from the local salvage yard. I think I paid $15 for it (can get them cheaper or free in many cases). I then went to the pipe supply shop and purchased 1 x 2" treaded flange, 1 x 3" long 2" dia nipple, 1 x 2" "T", 1 x 2" long 2" nipple, 2" end cap, 1 x 1.5' long 2" pipe. These parts make the basics for the forge and cost me around $40. I picked up a grinder stand from Harbor Freight for around $30. I then headed to the thrift store and picked up a hair drier for $5. If you have some of these things laying around this whole project can be done much cheaper.

Pic #1: Completed forge before its test run
Pic #2: I used a stainless steel shower drain cover for the screen
Pic #3: I welded 2 3/8" bolts to the bottom of the drum to secure it to the stand
Pic #4: I put a pan here to catch the ash from the trap. To clean the trap I just have to unscrew the end cap.
Pic #5: I used duct tape to attach the hair drier but will use rubber hose with clamps soon. Hair drier supplies the oxygen to heat the coals
Pic #6: Its maiden voyage all fired up
Pic #7 Heating up time. It took about 5 mins to reach temp.
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