Forge Work

by William L. Ilgen

The forge illustrated in [Fig. 2] was designed for manual training use and is excellent for such a purpose. The bottom or base has six drawers which provide convenient places for keeping exercises and individual tools. As each drawer is provided with a special lock, much of the trouble resulting from having the tools or the work mislaid or lost is prevented.

Fig. 3.—Sectional View of the Forge shown in [Fig. 2].

The hearth A where the fire is built is provided with a cast-iron fire pot or tuyère. This is constructed with an opening at the bottom where there is a triangular tumbler which is cast upon a rod projecting through the front of the forge; by revolving the rod and tumbler the cinders or ashes can be dropped into the ash drawer at the bottom of the forge without disturbing the fire. A sectional view of these parts is shown in [Fig. 3], also the valve which regulates the blast.

Suspended on the upper edge surrounding the hearth, and located to the right and left of the operator, two boxes C and D are located, which are used for storing an adequate supply of coal and water, where they may be conveniently obtained.

In front are two handles; the upper one operates the clinker or ash valve, the lower one regulates the blast.

The front and back edges surrounding the hearth are cut out, so that long pieces of metal can be laid down in the fire. These openings can be closed, when desired, with the hinged slides shown at G.

The hood B projects over the fire sufficiently to catch the smoke and convey it to the opening of the down-draft pipe E. When necessary the hood can be raised out of the way with the lever F, which is constructed with cogs and provided with a locking pin to keep the hood in position.

2. Fire Tools.—The necessary tools required for maintaining the fire and keeping it in good working condition are shown in [Fig. 4]. A is the poker with which the coke can be broken loose from the sides. B is the rake with which the coke can be moved over the fire on top of the metal to prevent the air from retarding the heating. The shovel C is used for adding fresh coal, which should always be placed around the fire and not on top. In this way unnecessary smoke will be prevented, and the coal will slowly form into coke. The dipper D is used for cooling parts of the work that cannot be cooled in the water box. The sprinkler E is used for applying water to the coal, or around the fire to prevent its spreading.