Posted: 3/8/2015 9:45:38 PM EDT
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Really like this guys videos.
This shows how to make a functioning metal forge from the brake drum of a large truck. Ive put this on my my list of stuff to do. I really want to try this. Not only could it come in handy to be able to "forge weld" a broken metal part, but being able to turn scrap steel into functioning tools would be very handy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSNM272AGRA Dont have coal? Uee charcoal that you make yourself. Make your own charcoal I need to start collecting some scrap steel, maybe a trip to the scrapyard is in order. Old leaf springs, files, sledge hammers, just about anything, but especially if its medium / high carbon steel - will be good for making tools. |
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I made a brake drum forge when I was about 12 per the instructions in the book "Back to Basics." It was super simple and I managed to make a few simple tools like a tongs and a fireplace poker that I still use today.
My mom didn't appreciate me melting the end of her hair dryer though when I used it for a blower and got it too close to the forge, but I had fun with the project. 
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I made a break drum forge a couple years ago. However, after using it once, I was unhappy. You only have about 10 minutes of coal and you are done. You need a flat area outside the bowl for extra coal. The extra coal is starting to burn off impurities and convert into coke. As you use up the coal (coke) in the bowl, you continually rake in new coal (coke) to keep the fire at full temperature. The other shortcoming of the break drum is there is nowhere for additional tools. A blacksmith will typically have a tongs, a poker, a water can, and a hammer sitting on the forge -all being used, plus a dozen more tools hanging on the side.
I took my break drum and experimented a little and finally built a table around the break drum. The table is about 2 feet x 3 feet, the frame is made of wood 2x4s and the table is made of cement board. I eventually coated all the wood framing around the top with wood stove grout after it caught fire a couple times. Since I don't have a dedicated blacksmith shop I need to keep it in my garage and move it in and out to use - I added wheels and in winter I have runners on the bottom to make it easier to pull out in the snow. I have a cheap hair dryer blower on a rheostat for air. Several hooks on the sides to hang extra tongs and other tools. I even mounted a small vice to my forge table for bending and twisting metal -not for hammering though - the table would not take that. The table made a huge improvement over the bare brake drum. |
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I like Dave's videos. That design is pretty common for a poor man's rivet forge. You're going to have a hard time welding since you don't have a clinker breaker and the design of the drum requires you to place your metal down into the fire instead of straight in from the side.
Look into your local historical society to join a blacksmith group. ABANA (Artist Blacksmith Association of North America) is a good place to start with resources. We have "hammer-ins" several times a year all over the Midwest, and guys bring blacksmithing tools and supplies for sale. I bought a cracked firepot and coated it with a high-temp fireplace mortar to protect it from further damage. Bolted up the Tuyere and attached an old squirrel cage blower (on a dimmer switch). It works ok, but I would prefer a hand crank Champion or Buffalo for the blower. I highly recommend a book called "New Edge of the Anvil: A Resource Book for Blacksmiths" by Jack Andrews. Great basic skills to get you rolling. |