charcoal rivet forge

so ive had this little rivet forge for quite awhile, and never got around to using it. a couple of weeks ago i got it out, "clayed" the bottom with dirt from my yard mixed with water and wood ash, when that dried I used a couple of firebricks and more wood ash to hold them up and fired it up on charcoal and am really happy with it. wish I would have started using it the day I got it. caltoncutlery.com

[@battlefieldforge1]

The more you use it the more the clay/dirt/ wood ash will vitrifie. It'll turn hard like fire brick. This is how i started, i just added kitty litter. I forged on that Tim Lively forge for years before I switched to propane. Here it is over 11 years later, still has the original lining.

[@joecalton1449]

wow, that is cool that you got that much life out of it!

[@namelesske]

You can create a small console for a small motor / drill and you can replace the handle for more consistent air flow.

[@joecalton1449]

you could, but for this, I like the hand blower, dont have to run power, and can vary the air as much as I want

[@cdavie5]

This is an excellent example of how to modify a forge shape to suit a specific fuel it wasn't designed for. Anyone who's watching and has more limited materials to work with: copy this in sod to make an effectice dirt trough forge for charcoal. Just bring your air in sideways at the bottom of one of the walls instead of vertically up from the bottom. Also don't do it where there are tree roots close to the surface.

[@jeff4423]

Great setup joe!

[@dombond6515]

Mr calton try making some mokume. Nickle brass and copper blend. I think you can make some amazing bolsters for your pocket knives. Ive seen people use quaters to make it. Or u can stack the diffrent metals

[@joecalton1449]

it has been awhile since I made any of that. the guard on my personal hunting knife is made out of mokume 🙂

[@smittyforge5127]

Good luck. Read all that you can. And you have to redesign your Forge. But, that is something you can think about later. I'm a Retired Journeyman Blacksmith.