nprovos 82 Posted January 2 At the shop, we have been using a side blast forge for general blacksmithing. It's a great tool as clinker can be removed quickly without great interruptions to the fire. The side blast forge relies on a water cooled tuyere. After more than ten years of great service, the air pipe finally rusted through. I have attached some photos of the surgery and reconstruction. Forge area with tank removed: Tank cut open with plasma cutter - at that point it was clear already that the tank needed to be rebuild as well: Removing the air pipe with a die grinder: Fitting the new pipe: Rebuilding the tank from 3/16" steel plate: Finally leak testing the rebuild tank: It still needs to be installed and tested but this is how far I got during my holiday break. Happy hammering. Niels. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeb Camper 436 Posted January 2 Very cool! I've always wanted to make one of these. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alan Longmire 1,268 Posted January 3 Looks good! And illustrates why I never built one, getting it watertight with my pitiful stick welding skills would be an impossibility. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewB 111 Posted January 3 Is a side blast forge better than a bottom blast? I'm just curious. I haven't seen too many youtube videos out there from anybody in the US that's using side blast forges most the guys I see using them are in Europe or in the UK. I've always wondered like I said if they actually work better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gerald Boggs 71 Posted January 3 4 hours ago, Alan Longmire said: Looks good! And illustrates why I never built one, getting it watertight with my pitiful stick welding skills would be an impossibility. Just put it outside for a week and let it rust up, the rust will seal the holes. And no, I'm not joking :-) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pieter-Paul Derks 93 Posted January 3 Looking great already! If my shop had the space I would go for a side blast forge, it would be so nice to build a big reducing fire sometimes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nprovos 82 Posted January 6 Here is the latest progress: Installed pivot for the air lever. Plasma cutting and extremely poor sheet metal welding to repair the back. I replaced it with 16 gauge instead of 17 which might make it last a little longer: Finally installed the tank and the tuyere: Almost looks like new :-) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
