forging and casting metals

[wayacoyote]

I've long been interested but getting more so as I read about the use of beeswax in casting metals. Papa constantly bringing home copper and bronz, cousin has an anvil

Anyone with an idea on building a setup for melting bronz for casting and for heating iron for forging? I'm hoping to stay away from gas, but I did read years ago of a forge made from a brake drum....
waya

[iddee]

Around here an old farrier's forge sells for about$150.00. I have seen 3 or 4 sold in the last couple years. The one man foundry I use here uses gas, so I can't help you there.

[George Fergusson]

Small forges aren't hard to make Waya, the two key elements are a blower of some sort and something to contain the fire. A brake drum would be small but useable. Forges turn up from time to time if you keep your eyes open for them.

I've never used a forge but I have a few friends who do it for a hobby.

[honeyman46408]

Try this site if you dont have it these guys have a lot of ideas
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/metal/

[peggjam]

Check the back copies of Mother Earth. They did several articles on how to build your own forge, pretty cheap to by the way.

[al coble]

Try these sites:
http://www.frugalmachinist.com/index.html
http://www.seattlerobotics.org/encoder/200008/GEAR_article.html
http://www.metalwebnews.com/fd.html
http://www.jamesyawn.com/castal/foundry/
http://www.lindsaybks.com/dgjp/djgbk/char/

[sqkcrk]

waya, the brake drum is used for the pot in a coal fired forge. You'll need a hose and a blower. The hose is flexible metal hose like you might see used with mufflers? The blower is usually hand cranked so you don't get to hot of a fire. If it sound like I know what I am talking about, I really don't. I know some really good Blacksmiths, both here and in Williamsburg, VA. I'll bet you lunch at your favorite diner that there is a Blacksmiths Association real close to you. It's too late for me to call john Scarlette to night. I'll call him tomorrow to get a number or web site for you. You could just do some internet stuff. Those guys are as modern as anybody.

Have fun, Mark

[iddee]

Here's a lady with an old forge for sale.

http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/showthread.php?t=113787

[ January 13, 2006, 04:32 PM: Message edited by: iddee ]

[MichaelW]

using beeswax for casting metals is pretty much a waste of valuable beeswax. We used another type of wax that was much cheaper for metal casting at my University. It is "fairly" easy to set up for casting iron at your home. I have never done it but have friends whom have attended "iron pour parties" Casting aluminum, bronze, and other metals require much more complex equipment. For iron, you are basically melting scrap iron (old home radiators, etc) in a steel drum over a wood fire. There is much more to it than that of course, I may try and find a website if I get a chance to surfing the web today.

Also I recommend against an electric blower for a forge. We had one at our university and if you put too much water on your fire, which was common, explosive gases seep down the the motor and explode creating a shotgun sound which is very nerve ratteling. Plus it gets too hot as said.

Here are my feet in Aluminum, second photo (http://web.utk.edu/~wu4you/My%204%20Acres/m4a_sculptures.htm)

[ainsof]

You may consider these guys, very cool, very helpful:

http://www.backyardmetalcasting.com/

nice forum too