Making a Simple Forge

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For my next project I'm in need of a forge. I didn't want it to take long so I made a simple can forge. They are often made from coffee/soup cans but the best size can I had was a 4L paint can. There are many of these forges already recorded on KZbin but as I was making it I thought I may as well make a video of the process too.
I tried to make it fun! I hope you enjoy it!
As always I'm happy to answer any questions.
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This video uses these sounds from freesound:
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Slide Whistle, Descending, A.wav by InspectorJ -- freesound.org/...

[@oldmanpottering]

Bloody hell mate, woodworking, metalworking and video editing ! Is there anything you can't do ? Great job, got a laugh out of Fergus but the poor little bugger hasn't any eyes 😁

[@PaskMakes]

Thanks very much mate! I'll have to do something about his eyes! :)

[@ianc1097]

I love that you inject your British sense of humour into what could potentially be dull instructional videos. You’ve got a new fan here that has become obsessed with your videos.

[@williamfitzgerald3485]

Working with the plaster of Paris is much more difficult than it appears. It sets up extremely fast . I failed twice and had to scrap it and start over because the inner chamber mold got stuck . Even if it's pretty runny after you add water I recommend dumping it in the can as even as a liquid it sets up rock hard soon after . Also it took me much more than the 2 1/2 cups mentioned for a 1 gallon paint can. Closer to about 6 cups equal parts each plaster to sand. Just my 2 cents if anyone else is thinking about attempting. Great project , thanks Pask.

[@charlieevergreen3514]

Thank you, Pask! I’ve seen a homemade forge made with a paste of vermiculite and sodium silicate (though I haven’t tried it), but this paste of sand and plaster is bound to be much less expensive, especially in larger quantities. All of your videos are great; some of my favorite stuff online!

[@DonQuichotteLiberia]

I love how everything got more difficult because of the pig tail and you still left it on and worked around it!

[@PaskMakes]

Yes it did get in the way but I managed! ;)

[@censusgary]

One drawback to just piling up some random bricks into an oven (as in the “before” picture here) is that some bricks can explode when they get hot. Exploding hot bricks are not nice.

[@nickbrutanna9973]

This is why you use **firebricks**, not standard masonry bricks.

[@charlieevergreen3514]

Yep, firebricks are 100% refractory (non-melting), and are nearly waterproof. Housing bricks are practically earthenware, like terra cotta pots (though they are one step up from that), and they absorb tons of water, which, when heated quickly, becomes steam, and suddenly you have tons of tiny steam pressure chambers... which go boom.

[@Elderos5]

I LOVED the forge pig! That was brilliant! It gave me a good laugh.

[@PaskMakes]

Glad you liked it! :)

[@aligilani8880]

Thanks so much Neil for another great video. Your humility and skill make you one of my favourite KZbinrs, definitely up there with Jimmy Diresta and Frank Howarth

[@PaskMakes]

Thanks very much Ali! :)

[@bluecurvedesign]

WELCOME FERGUS!! Great to meet you. Make sure he gives you a straw bed and plenty of spare refectory cement to roll in after hours... :-) Great How To Neil, very practical.

[@PaskMakes]

Haha! Glad you liked I mate! :)

[@ianmacdonald5195]

As always, love the simplicity and practicality of the project. Well done.

[@PaskMakes]

Thanks Ian! :)

[@7R15M3G1]

This one took a left turn when fergus was introduced............ I already love him

[@stevenA44]

Nice little forge. I think I'm going to try to make one of these. I don't work with metal much but since I'm wanting to make a block plane and I have an old mower blade, this will work fine.

[@rm709]

Great video! Love the pig and very handy in some cases. It's nice to mess around with blade work sometimes and step away from wood!

[@Makebuildmodify]

Loved the stop motion!

[@PaskMakes]

Glad you liked it Justin! :)

[@Bob_Adkins]

This Old Pask Makes

[@Doingitrightplumbing]

Hot water works great the water warms up the plastic which makes it easy to move , yeah it is the expanse and that's why when you pull it will stretch out to a smaller diameter

[@JedidiahShultzIrishCraftsman]

It is definitely apparent that you had fun with this one!😄 I love Fergus the forge😁😁 great job Neil and I’m looking forward to what you produce with little ol’ Fergus!!

[@PaskMakes]

I really did! It was nice to make and film a simple project! Glad you liked Fergus! ;)

[@JedidiahShultzIrishCraftsman]

I can definitely share that sentiment! I just built my friend a forge and we kept calling it a piggy forge😁

[@KevinOMalleyisonlysmallreally]

I genuinely love your attitude and videos. I've been watching them on and off for the last week and it's been really inspiring. Great work!

[@dnngskn62]

Fergus, another you tube star is born.

[@Zax999]

Simple and doable (and on my list now). Two suggestions: a hinged door wood keep in lots of heat. Perhaps set two rods in the mixture above the opening and hang a door made of the same substance or even a thick metal plate? Also, thinking of a way to have the floor inside flat (not rounded). Got an idea?

[@southernblueblood5402]

No matter how many times I watch this video I still laugh and enjoy the forge pig and his little adventure. Funny moments like that is why your videos are absolutely the best.

[@SparrowStockwell]

Fergus the Forge Pig is a nice boy. He is a good worker, too!

[@joycemiller4716]

Glad to hear inch’s mentioned from England

[@davidatkins6537]

Great! A Sculpture to boot, thanks.

[@p20ph37]

Very creative. Very informative. Thank you for your time.

[@karolskakes388]

Here is a video I can share with the kids! Thanks for making an useful tool so fun to make.

[@kenl5217]

Thanks. You have given me confidence to make my own

[@wmwalkerco]

Man, I don't know why but this one was super enjoyable for being such a simple video. I am really loving your channel. I also love that your forge is a pig and has a name. I'm going to have to make one soon.

[@PaskMakes]

I'm really glad you liked it! I wasn't that sure about making a video that has been done many times before but my patreons convinced me to go ahead! :)

[@prestonlane6253]

Thanks for the humor in the video. I needed a laugh. It's been a rough couple of days here in Alabama (in the US).

[@PaskMakes]

No worries Preston! Keep safe! :)

[@NomadMakes]

The turn this video took was fantastic! And so unecpected. Great humor ;-)

[@PaskMakes]

Glad you liked it! :)

[@HacknBuild]

A map gas torch works surprisingly well for small-scale forging! My map gas "forge" is basically just a pile of regular bricks. I can adjust them based on what I am forging. I've used the setup for some arts and crafts forging projects as well has heat-treating a set of carving knives.

[@PaskMakes]

It's surprising what can be achieved with simple set ups! :)

[@HacknBuild]

Couldn't agree more. Looking forward to seeing what you do with this little guy. 🐷

[@jackduckworthsringpiece4687]

Flamin Nora,enjoyed that i did. Good old British engineerin at its best.

[@jerrodlopes186]

One improvement suggestion that'll make a big difference would be to angle the torch downward at about a 45 degree angle. You'll get a lot more even heating, faster heat up time and use less gas.

[@ryansecakuku9312]

yo Fergus was a great addition to the video. Great video man gonna come back and watcha couple more times. like the simplicity of your build.

[@fredkaningok6460]

Thank you that was fun and I'll be doing this

[@sudo_nym]

Did you find that you put the gas port too far back? About 1/3rd in from the front is best. it allows all the blade to be heated.

[@Cup.Of.Happy1971]

definitely have to make one of these soon

[@GCustoms]

Go Fergus! Nice, simple, clever, just perfect!

[@ScottTurnerformeindustrious]

It's always interesting watching your videos :) and now I have to go make a forge!

[@PaskMakes]

That's great to hear Scott! Both enjoying the videos and that you want to make a forge! :)

[@AngriestEwok]

Good idea using a paint can. I've seen others make one out of steal bins but I like yours for smaller projects like heat treating. Few thoughts though... would some sort of mould release work with the plastic bottle? Like maybe grease or vaseline? Also, wouldn't you get better heat distribution if you turned the thing on its bottom and used a lid?

[@michaeloronia601]

Glad you shared that, I was planning on making one soon.

[@artisanshrew]

I absolutely LOVE that you made it into such an ADORABLE little piggy!!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@johnhammond639]

very nice, I will be building one of these soon. thank you. from Vancouver BC

[@CitizenAyellowblue]

Time for me to have a go at making a blade! Great project!

[@PaskMakes]

Good to hear Scott! :)

[@ThePaulus2010]

Great pig 🐽 mate.. You need to make a cap on there with two holes to finish it off!

[@PaskMakes]

Yes! That would finish it off! :)

[@ausaiden7483]

awesome, looking forward to seeing more of Fergus the forge pig.

[@Itsa.Calamity]

Love the humour you add 🐷

[@charliedalmasso4672]

Very nice ! I want a forge pig now ! please keep us inform of how the plaster resist the fire

[@PaskMakes]

No worries Charlie! :)

[@NickMakes]

Awesome, had no idea it could be so straight forward!! Thank you!👍

[@albertosalamanca9154]

Amigo muchas gracias por sus enseñanzas Dios derrame muchas bendiciones en usted por tomarse su tiempo para enseñarnos muchas gracias un abrazo desde colombia Bogotá

[@PaskMakes]

Gracias! 😊

[@mc4kvb]

Well, well now this a fun video Pask. You had fun and it was fun to watch plus learned how to make a forge! I love the fun you had making it! Keep these good videos coming!

[@PaskMakes]

No worries Becky! Glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@NYWoodworker]

Excellent project. Liked it a bunch!

[@hansdegroot8549]

I watched the video. After that I read all the comments (which already answered some of the questions I had) Now I'm going to watch the video again. Maybe it will answer the remaining questions. If not then I'll put them here. One thing is for sure: the video and the project are awesome and I guess that Fergus is the only pig in the world that is roasted from the inside. Thanks for sharing and inspiration.

[@kuffyswoodwork]

That's an awesome little piggy. I've never seen a forge this bloody simple before. I want one. I'm probably going to make one before the year is out. Cheers 👍👍👍

[@PaskMakes]

Thanks mate - glad you liked it! It was extremely simple, like I said 'no frills' and it works well enough for my needs! :)

[@cliffsclips5522]

Oink oink. Very good and perfect for us who do little metalwork. Thank you

[@broman7006]

you help me with a lot now i know what to do over the wakened

[@broman7006]

weekend

[@haraa_ekm]

Hi! Great project, easy to do and very useful for small heating jobs. I'm keeping the idea! Greetings from France!

[@mikesmicroshop4385]

You may want to put a cover that reduces the opening to just around an inch at the bottom of the forge as it will greatly increase the efficiency of it!

[@PaskMakes]

That's a good idea! :)

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Good to see you in front of the camera Neil. Forge looks great!

[@PaskMakes]

Thanks very much Robin! :)

[@carbonitegamorrean8368]

Love the pig and easy quick cheap etc.

[@dekeros-recreationalwoodwo6456]

Love the forge pig (and the whole video ofc!) :-) Need to make me one of these! Thanks making and sharing!

[@PaskMakes]

Thank you! :)

[@Bob_Adkins]

Plaster of paris and perlite work better for me than sand. The perlite is an excellent insulator. A little more water in the plaster makes is easier to use and not go off as fast.

[@luciusirving5926]

I use pumice in place of perlite or vermiculite because I live in Mexico. The Romans could have made refractory bricks or ovens with plaster and volcanic ash.

[@hassleoffa]

Great pig animation! .... oh, nice forge too!

[@marcosmayo6811]

Amazing!!!! Love it.

[@BillHartCooks.]

Awesome! Everybody needs a Piggy Forge!

[@YuraKvadrat132]

You have a great sense of humor. Cool piglet out)

[@PaskMakes]

Glad you like it! ;)

[@KateMondor]

Great stuff. Look forward to seeing further projects.👏

[@davestinyworkshop]

great idea, love it!

[@TrotterG]

"This should be quick and easy, no frills, functional..." [20-second stop-motion animation]

[@PaskMakes]

Yes, that wasn't planned at the start but couldn't help myself! ;)

[@congamike1]

Good stuff! Thanks

[@e.t.preppin7084]

Been using charcoal and a battery powered blower in a hibachi grill. I’m making one of these tomorrow!!! Thanks for the video. You mentioned better refractory material. What about Vermiculite I believe I saw someone use on KZbin. I guess whatever works is good enough for me. Thanks again

[@luciusirving5926]

All I got is pumice, but vermiculite should work for forges and rocket stoves.

[@TheEveryMaker]

I love the piggy forge, that would be great for most of the stuff I'm interested in doing, I think I'll have to add a forge to my list of projects. I have a friend and his kid build a forge with plaster of paris and sand and it started crumbling after a while, so I'm curious to see how long it lasts. They might also have had issues because they were using coal.

[@PaskMakes]

Thanks! I'm not sure how long it will last but it really was that easy to do, it was worth a try. :)

[@TheEveryMaker]

I will certainly look for updates to see how it holds up for you! It also just occurred to me, theirs is a foundry, so dealing with higher heat, so maybe you wont' see any issues at all! I'll keep my fingers crossed because that would make building a forge so much easier and cost effective!

[@26tp]

Love the video and Fergus.

[@glenngoodale1709]

great job

[@robertclark3258]

Great project as usual. Thanks.

[@chompachangas]

Excellent. I was going to use a soup can, but this is even better. I got tons of this crap just lying around.

[@AdeAhmat]

Great project and great video. I'm sure that the "piggy motion picture" touch makes it even more fun build.

[@PaskMakes]

Thanks Ade - it was! :)

[@geraldmatthews6244]

Top video. top channel. well done Pask yet another very informative and enjoyable video.

Thanks for a good tip and inspiration. Luky

[@More-Space-In-Ear]

Burning ambition hey mate!… 😉😊 Great idea and build. Well done my friend 👍🏼😊

[@ratroddiesels1981]

your the man . enjoyed very much thanks

[@Gdwmartin]

inspirational

[@MrSIXGUNZ]

your a lot of fun and a great teacher !!!

[@rawdio.docdar5715]

Enjoyed that. Starting mine now. Thanks friend. Peace

[@manualidadesvariashoy]

beautiful channel , i love your table work

[@BarryIrwin]

Love it! Look forward to seeing more of Fiery Furgus

[@PaskMakes]

Thanks Barry! :)

[@badro-po6rb]

Good job

[@valdirdadasilvaalves]

Incridible; great project.

[@lourencosantiago9779]

Hi! Very nice! This idea is amazin! You are a inteligent man... Tks lot!

[@0lone0wolf0]

A really good opportunity missed there you should've made the torch hole in the back as a butt ya itll mess up the efficiency because the flame will not rotate but it worth it

[@tomohawk5567]

Good job mate, great video's thanks for sharing 🇬🇧👍

[@Manof2boyz]

Thanx for sharing!!!

[@andywyatt701]

Love the pig angle..very funny....great job

[@PaskMakes]

Glad you liked it Andy! ;)

[@CaseyHarrisSr]

Fergus gave me many chuckles. Thank you for the share. You are up there with another channel, Wranglerstar (in the USA).

[@mkngjoy]

awesome forge - i love that it was so simple! at the end of the video you talked about not using it inside - is that because of the type of gas you're using for the torch, or another forge-related reason? it may just be KZbin, but sometimes other videos show makers using similar forges inside... just wondering what the cautionary note is about (other than explosions, burning down the building & whatnot...) smoke? fumes? gases? (you mentioned wearing your respirator) ... or just as simple as not blowing up your shop?

[@PaskMakes]

Thanks! I probably should have explained that better. In my shop there is plenty of room so should be fine but I wouldn't want anyone to succumb to carbon monoxide poisoning, especially if they are in a confined area! :)

[@mihumus]

Haha cool, very nicely done mate!

[@PaskMakes]

Thank you! :)

[@ianelley]

Talk about making a silk purse out of a sows ear ! Shame you didn't knock up any pig iron !! lol

[@GuyBarry1]

Fergus!! Brilliant!! 🐖

[@ianhendo1698]

Awesome forge. Will definitely be having a crack at this. Any ideas on how long those torches burn for?

[@PaskMakes]

Thanks! Really not sure how long they last exactly but they last a while. :)

[@gsilcoful]

So ingenious. Thank you.

[@zippo123ist]

refractory mix,1/3 sand,1/3 cement, 1/3 vermiculite or perlite.

[@PaskMakes]

As I said, there are many ways of doing this and with better efficiency. For my needs I'm happy with this and was easy, quick and cheap. :)