New Coal Forge Build! (pic heavy)

[Scratch]

I have these openings on all four sides so I can get longer stock, low into the sweet spot if I need to, but I still wanted to be able to close the openings if I'm not using them so coal won't spill out. (also... the opening on the one end farthest from the firepot is deeper and flush with the floor pan in case I ever want to clean out the forge by sweeping rather than tipping it over)

So to close them, I made some sliding "coal gates" that can be partially or fully slid out of the way, or even flipped to the outside when I want to open them. All four of the coal gates are identical for ease of replacement.

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[Scratch]

Then I welded in some cord hangers to hold the 20' power cable.

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[Scratch]

I couldn't decide on where to mount the power switch since I wasn't sure which of the 3 sides I would be using as the front, so I decided to attach the switch to a movable mount that can attach to anywhere on the forge body. I also used flexible steel conduit to help protect the wires from heat.

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[Scratch]

And here it is all finished up! I painted the firepot and floor pan hi temp black, but painted everything else industrial grey since that's what I paint all my home built tools in.

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[Scratch]

Here are some more pics of the underside:

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[Scratch]

I also made a removable support extension for long stock that can mount anywhere on the forge body, and also stores conveniently on any side when I'm not using it. It's exactly 24" long and 12" wide to double as a measuring tool if needed, plus I bolted on a piece of broken measuring tape to it, for smaller measurements. Can't wait to fire it up!

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[Martin Pansch]

That is a really nice looking forge Scratch! Please let us know your pros and cons on it once you have had a chance to use it a while. I am especially interested in how the drop in grate plate in the bottom of the fire pot works out. I have considered such an option before but worried my aggressive use of a rake to clean out clinker would lift it up and let coal and ash under so it wouldn't sit right. I am likely just over thinking it though.

[ZachC]

This is really cool. I like how modular you made it. Having the easy to replace parts is nice too, but I agree with Martin, I'd like to hear more about how it works out for you.