I thought you guys would like to see this. I've been kicking around the idea of building some sort of a forge for a long time and finally decided it was time. I just got it going this afternoon and tried it out with charcoal I discovered that it isn't ideal but it worked. I need to know what kind of coal I should use. I got a place close that has coal but I don't know anything about coal. Is there something special I need or will any coal work?

Nice work!  I'm anxious to learn how it works for you!

Steve
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Potomac Forge
Member, W.F. Moran Jr. Foundation

Nice job. That is the right height for me.  What did you use to cut your brake drum? Do you have a cleanout? Thanks for sharing.

I used it a little after I got it made and it works but I think I need a little more powerful fan and I got to find some coal. I was gonna cut the brake drum with a plasma cutter but it wasn't working right so I scored it real deep with a big angle grinder and hit it with a heavy hammer til it broke out and then cleaned it up. I have a tee in the air supply with a nipple screwed in with a cap on it for a clean out and the screen you can see in the picture is just loose in there so I can lift it out as well.

I am no forge expert but I am a electrician. The cord and switch for your blower system look like they may be to close to your heat source. The extension cord and parts you have there are not high rated. Keep a close eye on it as you heat it up any signs of melting you may want to re design. One thing that would help is to get a inch of air between the  barrel and electrical equipment. Then you will not have the direct heat transfer.

looks pretty good.
im by no means any expert on coal forging or anything else for that matter.
but i think id line that brake drum with some sort of clay

some guys like anthracite and some like bitoumous coal
to each there own i guess

i agree with fallguy
id at least drop that switch box away from the forge pot some
Kevin

Thanks for the advice guys I'll change some things