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Author Topic: Coal Forge question  (Read 5409 times)

Offline Curtis

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Coal Forge question
« on: July 31, 2011, 04:30:58 AM »
Moderators, if this is not in a good spot feel free to move it.   

I ran across a coal forge yesterday in an "antique" shop.  The forge has seen a lot of use but the hand crank blower and everything else seemed to be functional.  The forge was approximately 24" in diameter and had a shield attached to the back.  There a leather apron with it, a hammer and a half dozen tools.  The asking price was $295.  If I get the forge I would use if for making gun mounts and such, and maybe some knives etc.  I was curious if this was a fair price for the forge and accessories?   ???

Thanks, Curtis
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Curtis Allinson
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Sometimes, late at night when I am alone in the inner sanctum of my workshop and no one else can see, I sand things using only my fingers for backing

Offline Bill of the 45th

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Re: Coal Forge question
« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2011, 05:00:17 AM »
Check the pan for cracks, if none grab it and run.  Around here that's a steal.  Even with cracks it can be welded by a pro that knows how to do cast iron.  Mine is the older pump handle blower, and the hinge had to be welded up, but it's fine now.

Bill
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Bill Knapp
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Rasch Chronicles

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Re: Coal Forge question
« Reply #2 on: July 31, 2011, 05:47:28 AM »
SquirrelHeart,
If it works, and is relatively complete, then that is not an unreasonable price. The half dozen tools are certainly a bonus. If you get it, consider buying a bag of refractory and relineing the pot. You will get another lifetime of service out of it. Some firebricks are handy too.

There are quite a few smithing websites and blogs, and once you get into it, you will forever look at a rusty piece of thrown away metal with a new eye! An anvil need not be a 150 pound American Pattern; you can get a six by six chunk of steel at the scrap yard, and a log at the municipal dump, or nail and glue a bunch of 2X4,6,8,10, or 12s into a serviceable anvil stand. With the right plan, you can make anything you need!

Man! I can't wait to get home!

Best Regards,
Albert “Afghanus” Rasch
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles™
Scouting for Hogs, Chronicles Style!
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Offline Curtis

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Re: Coal Forge question
« Reply #3 on: July 31, 2011, 06:45:50 AM »
Thanks for the info guys, I think I will go have another look at it!  If I get it I'll post some photos.
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Curtis Allinson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sometimes, late at night when I am alone in the inner sanctum of my workshop and no one else can see, I sand things using only my fingers for backing

Offline James

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Re: Coal Forge question
« Reply #4 on: July 31, 2011, 02:57:21 PM »
I am not disagreeing with what the others have posted, and I don't know how often you have come across forges where you are at. They can be found much cheaper at auction, if they are plentiful in your area, if not then the grab it advice is right on. What make is the blower, and size/ model #?
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LURCHWV@BJS

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Re: Coal Forge question
« Reply #5 on: July 31, 2011, 03:10:01 PM »
I've seen forges hauled in for scrap here.  Have a standing order with the local junkee's, if they run across a forge , anvil or tools I will give them double the weight in steel.  Have three anvil's  now

   $295 not bad but I've seen them go for ALOT less....


   Rich
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Offline marcusb

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Re: Coal Forge question
« Reply #6 on: July 31, 2011, 03:34:07 PM »
I recently gave $125 for a perfect anvil forge from a individual. That price is about right for retail but you may be able to do better.


One thing to check if its a rotary blower is that it spins awhile after you turn it.

« Last Edit: July 31, 2011, 03:40:21 PM by marcusb »
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Rasch Chronicles

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Re: Coal Forge question
« Reply #7 on: July 31, 2011, 05:51:55 PM »
Rich and Marcus,

You fellows must live in a blacksmith paradise! I once found an anvil when I lived in New Jersey in the early eighties, but nothing since then! I think it really depends on your location.

When I finally get out of here, and move to a proper piece of land, I'll be building a proper brick forge for myself. In the mean time I'll have to be satisfied with my two brick forge!

Albert
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Offline Curtis

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Re: Coal Forge question
« Reply #8 on: August 01, 2011, 05:01:52 PM »
Guys,

I have no Idea what make and model the blower is, but is still spins freely and I could feel the air movement coming into the forge.  I have only came across one other forge in my area in the past few years, it was at a swap meet and the blower was trash, the forge was about 15" in diameter, in bad shape and it was $130 bucks or so.  I haven't seen many posted at auctions around here (mid Missouri).  I have a couple of anvils so I am lucky in that regard.
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Curtis Allinson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sometimes, late at night when I am alone in the inner sanctum of my workshop and no one else can see, I sand things using only my fingers for backing

Offline Stan

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Re: Coal Forge question
« Reply #9 on: August 01, 2011, 05:18:28 PM »
MAKE SURE that it isn't a riveters forge!!!! They aren't worth a tinkers d----. If it is all you will do is chase the fire around the pot.
« Last Edit: August 01, 2011, 05:20:57 PM by Stan »
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Offline bgf

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Re: Coal Forge question
« Reply #10 on: August 01, 2011, 05:31:37 PM »
I'd look at a gas forge for that price range and for the tasks/usage you mentioned.  Not as glamorous, I suppose, but you might use it more often after the initial thrill of a coal forge wears off. 
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eagle24

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Re: Coal Forge question
« Reply #11 on: August 01, 2011, 05:44:57 PM »
Sounds like a good deal to me if the forge is in a useable condition.  I hear folks talking about all the good deals you can get on blacksmithing forges, blowers, anvils, vices, etc., but I sure can't/couldn't find them down here in AL.  I don't have time to go to trade days and blacksmithing events, so I found it next to impossible to find anything nearby.
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Rasch Chronicles

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Re: Coal Forge question
« Reply #12 on: August 01, 2011, 06:03:59 PM »
BGF,

You might have a point there too. I've looked at gas forges thinking that for the tool making that I would like to do, a gas forge is much more practical. Actually my two brick forge is nothing more than a couple of hollowed out fire bricks with a hole in the side for a MAPP torch!

 I've worked with a charcoal forge I built out of a washtub and clay, and for the stuff I did then, it was great too. The nice thing about a charcoal forge is that if you make your own charcoal, you never have to buy fuel. Pallets are all over the place, and lumber is thrown out everywhere. That's something to consider.

SH, I would consider carefully what everyone has said. It's not a bad price, but you could conceivably build one, or invest in a gas forge. I think that worse case, you will get most if not all of your money out of it (if not more!) if you decide it's not for you. And if you manage to learn something constructive, then it was an investment in your education, which is never a bad thing.

If you could post some pictures, that would be great!

Best Regards,
Albert “Afghanus” Rasch
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles™
Best Hog Hunting in Florida!!
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Offline Curtis

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Re: Coal Forge question
« Reply #13 on: August 01, 2011, 08:04:43 PM »
Lots of good advice as well as things to consider, guys.  The antique shop is about an hour from my house so it will be the weekend before I can make it there.  I will giver the gas forge idea some consideration in the meantime.  I have also considered building a waste oil forge in the past, I may think about that some more also.

Curtis
« Last Edit: August 01, 2011, 08:06:30 PM by -SquirrelHeart- »
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Curtis Allinson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sometimes, late at night when I am alone in the inner sanctum of my workshop and no one else can see, I sand things using only my fingers for backing

Offline David Veith

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Re: Coal Forge question
« Reply #14 on: August 02, 2011, 04:30:12 AM »
If you can do any machining you can make burners for a gas forge. Hav three on the bench that I need to finish. Get Mike porters book on Forges and burners. LOts of great info. The nice thing about gas is you can get right to work where as coal you need to get the fire going.
David
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David Veith
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