I saw a clip about a "soup can" forge & that sent me searching.
There was this Coffee Can Forge that seemed better for a person to heat up metal for small projects & I got interested.

I decided to make one out of a larger Can & im kind of impressed. In the past I've burned thru a bunch of MAP gas heating up metal for small projects having seen the prices on manufactured forges.

Anyone else make one of these ?






Mine needed a tweak but it's better than I expected !

That is full of awesome!

I have everything needed for 'lost wax' metal casting. Wax, molds, MAP gas, investment, pickle, tools, and such. But I have no way to heat silver or gold to pour into my molds. Nor do I have the heat necessary to cure my molds.

I must own one of those!

H&K-Guy

I've done a VERY little bit of blacksmithing. But it was with a local blacksmith organization and they had a coal fire with hand crank bellows. Hammers and a good anvil are your best friends.

I made a nice forge out of an old 20lb propane canister. Just looked at a few youtube videos (I love the internet). Lined it with refractory wool, firebricks as floor, and covered the whole inside with Satanite. Bought a propane forge torch online. It probably gets to 2300 degrees, certainly more than enough for my emerging knife-forging hobby.

I took a bunch of pics thru the process of making this.
I can post but I was seriously surprised at how cheap it is to make one of these things.

I'm under no misconceptions about this thing.
I have no idea how long they last (part of my reason for the post) but for the money I thought it was a nice way to dip your toe in the water & see if you really want to invest the money for a more serious forge.

Materials to make this was $16.51
I have a torch but it wasn't adjustable so that added $40 .
But it was still under $60.

I already have a couple of Anvils , some hammers and a couple Hardy accessories , but I'm going to an estate auction in Amish Country to pick up some tongs.
Long handled pliers are okay but I need tongs.

Really cool project! Might have to try that some time.

It takes about 3mins to heat up a large bolt once the forge is hot.

My Salmon River country knife making buddy started his forging career building one out of an old log truck brake drum, cut some slots in side, added couple stout handles & screw-on leg sockets. Lined it with mud & attached junked hair drying for blower. Used it in his bus for years on many projects.

Forgery is illegal.

Looks like fun! What are you going to make?


I've got way too many projects going right now, but seeing that makes me want to start another

I am pretty intrigued by this as well. But finding an affordable old anvil might be pretty tough these day's

So can you do something other than a torch for heat. Like coal or charcoal, etc?

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
I am pretty intrigued by this as well. But finding an affordable old anvil might be pretty tough these day's

So can you do something other than a torch for heat. Like coal or charcoal, etc?

Actually there are smaller Anvils made from RR track.
I have one myself.


This is one I picked up for $30 as it was rough.





I've been cleaning it up using an angle grinder with flap pad sanding disks.

quote:

Originally posted by ShouldBFishin:
Looks like fun! What are you going to make?

These are a few ideas I'm wanting to make .

















And a couple knives made from rebar

Wow. You put a lot of time into that anvil to clean it up. Looks good.

Looks like Blacksmithing would be a fun hobby to have. It helps to have a smidgen of creativity though. Someting I'm missing.

Just getting into it. Interested in learning how to forge axe heads, fold over/forge weld... forge knives.

Pick up this Peter Wright anvil, welded up a stand. Bought a Chile Forge 1" burner. Build a forge soon.

Messed around with the burner some, trying different size orifices. At my altitude choked down the size of hole a couple steps to get a flame to look like this. It will be different I'm sure once inside the forge.

GrumpyBiker,

Not sure if this is something you would be interested in. Friend suggested this as good project, lesson in moving metal... Blacksmith in the video sure makes it look easy, not a wasted hammer blow!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv00glIguj8

That is an interesting solution, I like it. I can't wait to have the space to set up a shop again.

I got lucky and traded for a NC Tool Forge with my anvil . I am in the process of building a coal forge (I am also learning simple mig welding.) My wife was like "why is there a brake drum by the front door..."

I've seen kits where you assemble your own tongs.
Has anyone done that or did you buy pre-made ones?





Also I'm getting my Anvil base put together.
Using iron banding & hand cut nails leftover from another project.










Also cutting in some mounting curves into my Anvil.

Those rebar knives are really neat.