Blacksmithing - Build a simple charcoal forge

[ThePatrick6122]

So how much did this forge cost? I've been told around 50 bucks, but from reading you comments it must be less.

[metalhead0jtk]

@ThePatrick6122 About 5-6 dollars for the tub, 2-3 dollars for the tub and end cap, the ash was free from everyone I know that owns a fireplace. Maybe 15 dollars for EVERYTHING.

[TheFixedFiend]

thanks alot man, this is so simple, where can i pick up one of those tubs though i really needa make one

[metalhead0jtk]

@TheFixedFiend I mentioned in some previous comments that I picked up my tub at Lowes (hardware store franchise) for about 5 dollars, Im certain you can find similar tubs at feed and farm supply stores. But you can easily build a forge like this from just about anything, even just a hole in the ground. Good luck

[TheFixedFiend]

@metalhead0jtk thanks alot man for the help now i can get started

[KnifemakingUnplugged]

You could at least give credit to where you got the idea from brother.

[dogbone222]

I'm pretty sure you can make lie from water and ash

[metalhead0jtk]

@dogbone222 Its been a while since alchemy school, but I think that is a half truth. Wood ash produces potassium hydroxide (potash), while true lye is SODIUM hydroxide. Both have similar uses though and both are caustic. One of the reasons you want to use latex (or similar) gloves when applying your ash insulation to the forge. You wont have your fingers eaten off or anything because the percentage of potash isnt high enough, but gloves wont be too much of a hassle. Thank you!

[dogbone222]

@metalhead0jtk okay cool. thanks a bunch. i'll get to insulating my little forge

[MegaH4tt0rih4nz0]

Metalhead0jtk,would it work if i take break drum and put some ashcrete on that? reply asap

[metalhead0jtk]

@MegaH4tt0rih4nz0 It should work just fine! I dont like brake drum forges because they are a little too small for my taste.

[MegaH4tt0rih4nz0]

@metalhead0jtk well i dont like it either but i only have brake drums :/ bit difficult, but ill try to find something like that, i dont think those are expensive

[metalhead0jtk]

@MegaH4tt0rih4nz0 Washtubs aren't expensive at all. I bought mine at Lowes for like 5 dollars (American) but even if you cant find them you can make a forge from a hole in the dirt with a tube leading to it. Probably wouldn't even need the ashcrete.

[MegaH4tt0rih4nz0]

@metalhead0jtk and btw i really like this video because i never knew that you can use ashcrete, thats brilliant idea mate and i like the forge too, i have like over 60 railroad spikes and i have lots of ideas. All that im missing is the forge :DDD my dream is to make all kind of cool looking knives and the most important i want to make my knives nearly razor sharp.

[braseldazzle]

would this work for a propane paintcan forge the ashcrete. im making one right now and need a substitute if u could answer in next like 10 minutes or something much appreciated lol

[metalhead0jtk]

@braseldazzle So sorry I didnt answer earlier. The ash would provide insulation you need, I dont know if it would be the best option though. Very sorry.

[braseldazzle]

@metalhead0jtk and i didnt sift the ash i used wood ash that was still in flakes but ash and actual charcoal ash, and it didnt turn into fudge it was a slushe but thicker will it harden? and will the chuncks light a fire and ruin the whole thing since i dindnt have a sifter

[offenwrong]

AWESOME...great minds think alike, I was pissed at first because I thought I had an original idea with the pipe, but I guess it just makes sense....the "Ashcrete" (I'm gonna call it) is a brilliant idea now I dont have to talk my wife into buying pumice bricks...lol..thx for posting.

[metalhead0jtk]

@offenwrong Ashcrete.........genius, my friend. Thanks for the comment ^_^

[xrecorder]

if it easily reaches 2000 degrees, why it doesn't melted

[metalhead0jtk]

@xrecorder Steel and iron melting temperature is over 2,000 degrees, I think about 2,200 degrees is when iron melts. Maybe you think I meant Celsius, no I use Fahrenheit. I apologize for confusion.

[ixamraxi]

Based off the lively forge designed by Tim Lively?

[metalhead0jtk]

@ixamraxi That was originally where I first saw this design (in fact he was my first comment on this video), but washtub forges are actually pretty common.l

[ixamraxi]

@metalhead0jtk - I was considering building a forge based on his design as well, do you like yours? Any changes you recommend?

[metalhead0jtk]

@ixamraxi Eventually I will do it again and I would attach the pipe better. The metal tape I used to hold it in place ended up breaking after the wood ash hardened and now the pipe rotates around. I do like the forge, its simple, effective, versatile, and mobile.

[ixamraxi]

@metalhead0jtk - Thanks for the heads up, I will try and fasten it in a way that prevents seperation and rotation. Out of curiosity, what did you use for the adobe? I was thinking about a mix of sand + ash + clay kitty litter, what did you end up using? Thanks again!

[metalhead0jtk]

@ixamraxi If you watched the video, I used wood ash, just sifted ashes from wood. I cant make any comments toward the mixture you proposed because I dont have any personal experience. Try mixing up a small batch and play with it a bit. As long as there are no big rocks, they can explode.

[ixamraxi]

@metalhead0jtk - Ah yes, I did watch it, but wasn't sure if you did some experimentation with various compositions prior to settling on wood ash, thanks for all the info, and thanks for the warning on larger rocks!

[STREETRAT211]

where did you buy your tub?

[metalhead0jtk]

@STREETRAT211 Lowes, an American franchise of hardware store, but Im sure you could find them at farm/garden supply and feed stores too.

[STREETRAT211]

@metalhead0jtk thanks man

[ROFLxD3000]

i made ist almost like you. but i used coke for heating.

[metalhead0jtk]

@ROFLxD3000 This isn't a good forge for using coke, coke produces a lot of waste (clinker) and this forge has no where for the clinker to go. Washtub forges are really only good for charcoal, coal forges are made different. There are a lot of instructions online about making simple coal forges, I want to build one from a stainless steel sink myself . ^_^

[ROFLxD3000]

@metalhead0jtk my forge is made out of an bucket. and i use a really strong blower so that the waste is blown out

[GhettoPenguinStudios]

Would I be able to use sand in replacement of the ash.

[metalhead0jtk]

@GhettoPenguinStudios I think the only problem sand would have is that it wouldn't stick together well when its dry. The walls of the forge can sometimes take a beating. After the ash drys its almost rock hard.

[apatientspider]

@GhettoPenguinStudios

I use a 50/50 mix of red clay or mud dug out of the earth and ordinary sand. The sand is the refractory and the mud or clay is the binder. It all sets up like sandstone or concrete after a few fires.

[orkud]

after it's been worked and heated a few times of course*

[orkud]

if you used hardwood charcoal, break it down to almost pebbles. creates a much much more even heat. Burns a bit faster but i can usually reach forge welding temps within a 20 second heat

[metalhead0jtk]

@orkud Really? I didn't even think you could reach forge welding temperatures with charcoal. If I can get it that hot I can experiment with Damascus patterns! Thanks very much!

[apatientspider]

@metalhead0jtk Charcoal is a clean burning fuel that makes a very good weld, but it takes more of it because it burns faster than coal or coke. So you have to conserve the heat in your fire and learn fire management skills. Try covering the top of the fire with a wood board and use less air blast. Charcoal gets hot enough - they used to smelt iron ore with charcoal fired furnaces. The Swedes were still making charcoal iron up to the middle of the last century.

[Dercommandingofficer]

where to get the tub?

[metalhead0jtk]

@Dercommandingofficer I bought mine at a large hardware store, Id be willing to bet the tubs are also sold at farm supply or feed stores too. But like I said in a previous post, you can use almost any metal container.

[Dercommandingofficer]

@metalhead0jtk Went to home depot, rona, etc and couldnt find it. Instead im just going to use stone and make a hole in the ground and cover it and do it that way.

[cheeseballdino]

whats the diameter of the tube you use and how tall is the metal container you used to hold the charcoal. i have a container just like that and its height on the inside is 30cm would that work or will i have to cut it?

[metalhead0jtk]

@cheeseballdino The tube is an inch diameter (2.5cm). I dont understand your second question: "metal container you used to hold the charcoal" if you are talking about the washtub its 7 inches tall (17.7cm). Any metal container can be used if you use the insulation. I have made forges like this using old paint cans. Hell you can make a forge like this using a hole in the dirt.

[cheeseballdino]

whats the diameter of the tube you use?

[shuterbugz]

thanks i reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeely needed one of theas!

[metalhead0jtk]

@shuterbugz Veeeeeeeeeeeeeeery welcome. ^_^

[KnifemakingUnplugged]

Well done!

[metalhead0jtk]

@KnifemakingUnplugged Thank you very much! Your DVD was excellent, I also watched the video with you and Tai Goo done by Ron Hood and it became the reason I wanted to get into smithing.

- Joe K