Building coal forge question.

[R H Clark]

I am building a coal forge.I went to the junk yard and picked up a nice heavy metal table.

I also got a piece to set into the table top.It looks like a big metal hat box cut in half if you can imagine that.It is 3/16 thick metal and the opening is 9" wide and 20" long.It will make a long deep trough set into the table top.

My questions are,
1.Do I need to line the 3/16 inch trough to keep from burning it out? If so what with?

2.Would it be better to bring my air line in from the side or the bottom of the trough?

Thanks for any help
Randy

[Lin Rhea]

You dont have to line it, but it will last much longer lined with a refractory cement of some type. I use some I bought from a fireplace/woodstove supply. Just mix it like concrete or mortor and lay in a bed the shape you want it to be for the size fire you want. I'd make it 1 - 1 1/2 inches thick.

You can also use fire clay available from the same supply. Lin

[beaver#1]

i built mine with the air coming from the bottom.  works pretty good that way.  but once you get your all the way you want it.... you will find something to change.  i found that my pot was to small for my liking.  but like lin said either will be ok... mine is not at the moment.

[R H Clark]

Thanks for the help guys.

Is a clinker breaker absolutely necessary?

I thought if I bring the air in from the side and angle the air line up a little it might be easier to keep clean.

would I be better off just to put a large pipe T at the bottom of my fire pit and gate the bottom for cleaning?

[JEFF B]

look here is a simple one to make it is a babys bath tub with the ends handles cut off then ya put a pipe where the handles used to be drill it full of holes. well ya get the picture   then ya fill it full of fire clay and shape it   and look what ya got a mini forge sitting on a plank with hand turned air supplie  

[Wampus]

Some more details on Tim Lively's site:    http://64.176.180.203/washtubforge.htm

[Lin Rhea]

That is a great set of pics and will serve you well for knives.

I found an old forge/blower setup at an auction and repaired and restored it and use it on occasion for demonstrations, but I mostly use propane. Lin

[R H Clark]

Thanks for the pictures and ideas.

[JEFF B]

you are most welcome buddy