33 Homemade Forge Plans To Meet All Your Blacksmithing Needs

Having your own homemade forge will enable you to transform steel and glass into practical and beautiful items. Create useful items for your home, campsite, off-grid homestead or gift-giving in a homemade forge.

Decorative and useful items forged from steel commands a hefty price in the market place, so a DIY forge will also enable you to make some blacksmith projects to supplement your income or to start up your own business. It only takes three things to get started creating unique pieces from steel; a hammer, anvil and a forge. The hammer and anvil are easy to find, and we believe with our 33 homemade forge plans, the forge will be easy to build.

Warning: Propane forge can be very dangerous if handled not carefully. Please don’t attempt these projects if you are not well aware how to use propane forge. I take no responsibility for any misshaping that is caused from the use of information in this publication.

1- Lawnmower Deck Homemade Forge

Discovering the DIY blacksmithing forge on Imgur was like stumbling upon a hidden gem in the vast expanse of the internet. As someone deeply passionate about craftsmanship and the art of blacksmithing, I was immediately drawn to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of this project.

What struck me the most about this DIY forge was its commitment to recycling and repurposing. The idea of transforming old, seemingly useless items like a lawn mower deck and a BBQ grill into a functional blacksmithing forge was nothing short of brilliant. It resonated with my own values of sustainability and environmental consciousness, reminding me that with a bit of creativity, we can breathe new life into items that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

The process of repurposing these items seemed almost poetic to me. The lawn mower and grill, once destined for the scrap heap, were given a new lease on life as essential components of a forge. It was a testament to the power of creativity and innovation, showing that with a keen eye and a bit of elbow grease, we can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.

What I particularly liked about this DIY forge was its accessibility. Instead of heading to the hardware store for new parts, the builder looked around their own garage, workshop, and backyard for materials to repurpose. It served as a reminder that sometimes, the best solutions are right in front of us, waiting to be discovered.

Ultimately, what resonated with me most about this DIY blacksmithing forge on Imgur was its embodiment of the principles of sustainability, creativity, and self-sufficiency. It wasn’t just a forge; it was a testament to the power of human ingenuity and the potential for transformation that lies within each of us.

2- Homemade Propane Forge

Building a homemade forge by imgur from an expired propane tank is easy with some ingenuity and this free plan that I am sharing with you. All you need to do is, Remove the collar top and fill tank with water. Measure and cut appropriate sized hole on top (which will become the front side). Paint with heat resistant paint. Allow to dry and attach burner nozzle and all remaining hardware with the detailed instructions found in these building plans.

3- Simple Homemade Forge

Learn how to build a simple forge in this youtube video that will get you started blacksmithing.

I recomend this forge to beginners, so before investing a lot of time and money into building a homemade forge, just start with a simple forge like this one to see if you are going to enjoy the art of blacksmithing. Rocks are used to help increase the heat and hold it long enough to increase the temperature needed to work the metal. The design is simple and the building components are easy to find and inexpensive.

4- Mini DIY Forge

Dreaming of making homemade jewelry and/or knives from metal? Then this is the DIY forge by thegeekpub for you. To Build this homemade forge, all you need is just a few fire bricks, a propane torch, aluminum angle, nuts, bolts and a few washers so you can hammer out some one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces or unique knives.

5- Waste Oil Homemade Forge

Discovering the DIY forge by Instructables was a revelation for me as someone deeply passionate about metalworking and blacksmithing. What immediately caught my attention and sparked my excitement was the ingenious use of waste oil as fuel. As someone who has access to used restaurant fryer oil and other types of waste oil, the idea that I could repurpose these materials to power my forge was incredibly appealing. It not only offered a cost-effective solution but also aligned perfectly with my commitment to sustainability and reducing waste.

What I personally liked most about this DIY forge was its simplicity and accessibility. The materials required to build it were basic and inexpensive – just bricks, concrete blocks, and a metal pipe. This meant that I didn’t have to invest a significant amount of money to create a functional forge in my backyard. The step-by-step instructions provided by Instructables made the building process clear and manageable, even for someone with limited experience in metalworking. It felt empowering to know that with a few simple components and a bit of effort, I could have a forge ready to use in no time.

The prospect of building my own homemade forge over the weekend filled me with excitement and anticipation. Not only would it provide me with a practical tool for pursuing my passion for metalworking, but it also represented a creative and fulfilling DIY project. The thought of being able to create metalwork in my own backyard, using fuel that would otherwise go to waste, was incredibly satisfying. It was a reminder of the boundless possibilities that come with resourcefulness and ingenuity, and it ignited a newfound sense of enthusiasm for exploring the world of DIY craftsmanship.

6- Air Tank Homemade Forge

The shell of a homemade forge can be created by recycling something you may have on hand, like this design that uses an old air tank for the shell.

Build this homemade forge:

• Cut the material being used for the shell to the desired length.
• Determine how many burners the DIY gas forge will have and how far apart they will be (if more than 1). Then create the appropriate sized holes.
• Attach burner nozzles, pipes and choke assembly.
• Plumb in the gas jets and hook up the gas valves and hoses using the step by step instructions given in these free plans.

7- Homemade Coal Forge

If you have welding skills then you can build this homemade coal forge with metal pipes and metal plates. A 3-inch metal pipe makes up the body of the DIY forge and the coal bin is constructed using metal plates. You use diy spot welder to make joints of metal where needed.

These detailed pictorial instructions will show you how to build this small and mighty coal forge by imgur. Great for forging small metal items in your home workshop. Learn to make your coal and save money every time you fire up the forge.

8- Recycled Propane Grill

Use these homemade forge plans by feltmagnet to recycle that old propane grill that never gets used anymore into a useful blacksmith’s forge. Since the grill is already built to withstand heat, removing the wood and plastic items from the grill and doing a little tweaking to the design is all you’ll need to do. A charcoal grill can also be transformed into a usable gas forge.

9- Propane Blacksmith Forge

These detailed plans will not only show you how to build a DIY gas forge, but also tell you the right questions to ask yourself prior to the DIY build. By asking yourself the right questions, you’ll be able to build the DIY forge by wikihow that best suits your needs in terms of size, heat output and how to best use the forge.

10- YouTube Video

If following a video of a DIY building project is the best way for you to create, then watch this one before undertaking a forge building endeavor. This YouTube video will walk you through the entire process of propane forge plans on Youtube and answer all your questions.

11- Homemade Propane Forge

Another instructional video that will walk you through the forge building process with ease. To Build this homemade forge all you need is Airtank or freon tank, Kaowool Piece of 1/8″ x 3/4″ steel flat stock Piece of 1″ steel square tubing, 2″ x 10-32 bolts,,mini-grinder with thin kerf cutting disc, Files, Drill,10-32 tap, putty knife. This DIY propane forge design by instructables gets extremely hot and is great for the more advanced black smithers that has income potential on their mind. Forge glass items as well as metal in this homemade forge so you can create both practical and decorative items.

12- Coffee Can Forge

No rule says a forge has to be big, it just has to work, and this one that I have Included in this list does. Any large metal can, like coffee, soup or paint cans can be transformed into a workable, mini propane forge by makezine. The refractory lining used inside these mini forges allows the heat to build up inside these small spaces to high enough temperatures to soften metal. Use this plan to make a quick and inexpensive forge. You may consider building these propane forges and selling if you can score a steady supply of large metal cans from a local restaurant.

13- Customized Build

Here is a YouTube documentary of a DIY propane forge on youtube. Build your own customized homemade forge with this detailed, informative and easy to follow YouTube video.

14- Metal Bucket Homemade Forge

So simple and inexpensive to build, you won’t even need power tools to build this DIY gas forge. A metal bucket can be transformed into the forge body with some simple hand tools. Legs for the forge can be created from any metal you have on hand and a burner holder made from standard black pipe and conduit rings. A couple of layers of Durablanket and fire bricks will enable an ordinary metal bucket to heat up hot enough to be used to forge steel.

15- Propane Forge Build

Small and mighty, this homemade forge by imgur is crafted from a recycled propane tank and will help homemade propane forgemeet all of your blacksmithing needs.

Step by step pictorial instructions will show you every detail of this DIY project so you can build with ease. The small size of this forge makes it ideal to build for use in a small space or to forge small metal work.

Create this homemade forge and use it to earn extra income by crafting one of a kind knives.

16- Portable Blacksmith Forge

What I like in this forge, its compact, portable DIY forge and small enough to store on the shelf until it’s needed, yet powerful enough to get the forging job done when needed.

Learn how to create this homemade coal forge in this Youtube video that uses a rechargeable battery. A bag of charcoal and a fully charged battery will provide enough heating power to forge several knives.

And since it’s portable, this forge can go wherever you need it. Take it along with you to the job site so you can forge replacement parts for various metal items like fences, gates, and other unique items.

17- Disc Brake DIY Forge

Watch this YouTube video to learn how to transform a disc brake into a functional blacksmith forge.

An old disc brake can be obtained from a local auto repair shop for free, so the money invested in this homemade forge will be minimal. Removable legs make this DIY forge easy to store, easy to take with you, and easy to assemble and disassemble as needed.

Build this cheap, portable, and functional forge with this detailed instructional YouTube video for your home workshop.

18- Mini Electric Forge

A couple of old space heaters and fire bricks can be put together to create a mini DIY electric forge by ibuildit when you follow these free plans.

Everyone has an old space heater that no longer heats as it should and it can be given a second life with this great recycling idea. The fan and plug-in cord of the heater are valuable components of a homemade forge.

This mini DIY electric forge will generate a little over 1,500 degrees F of heat and is ideal for a small home workshop.

19- Charcoal Forge

Here is a great way to recycle an old oval wash tub and transform it into a portable charcoal forge by bladeforums.

Oval wash tubs were very popular for use as flower planters and beverage holders a few years ago but are outdated now and need to be upgraded. Use an old oval wash tub and follow these detailed instructions to build yourself an inexpensive charcoal forge.

Steel forging is a great way to create heirloom pieces and earn extra income, and this easy to build blacksmith forge can help you get started forging steel.

20- Homemade Electric Forge

Use this electric forge by brilliantdiy to melt recycled aluminum at home so you can save money and keep aluminum out of the landfill.

An old paint bucket is the main component of the DIY project and this YouTube video will show you how to build it. Aluminum cans can be saved and taken to the local recycle center and sold for a few dollars, but it takes a lot of aluminum cans to make it worthwhile. Melting the aluminum compacts it so it will take up much less space while you are saving it.

Also, aluminum is a good metal to use for other projects around the house and it’s good to have some on hand. This homemade blacksmithing forge is cheap to build and will help you develop DIY skills that will enable you to earn extra income.

21- Homemade Gas Forge

Learn how to build a DIY gas forge in this YouTube video for your blacksmithing needs. The forge can generate plenty of heat for metal working and creating unique knives and other small metal objects. The size of this DIY gas forge is small enough to fit in most home workshops.

This detailed YouTube video will show you everything you need to know so you can build a gas forge of your own.

22- Propane Fueled Forge

Firebricks and propane can be used to create a propane fueled forge by instructables that generates plenty of heat for all your blacksmithing needs.

A forge has to generate enough heat to change the physical state of steel or metal so that it can be pounded and manipulated into the desired shape. This propane forge has the ability to generate all the heat needed and it’s safe to use. The small size of the forge won’t take up much space inside your home garage or workshop either.

23- Recycled Grill

Transform an old gas or charcoal grill into a new homemade forge by imgur with this idea. After a grill is no longer usable to cook food on, it can be recycled into something else useful like a blacksmithing forge.

Get yourself an old grill and follow these pictorial directions to create a useful homemade forge. This idea helps keep useful items out of the landfill and shows you how to build a forge for very little money.

24- Old Welding Tank

An old welding tank can be recycled and re-used to create a DIY forge like in this YouTube video for your workshop. Blacksmithing is an art that can be satisfying as a hobby or as a money making endeavor. However you choose to use blacksmithing skills, you have to start with a forge that will generate enough heat to make steel and metal malleable so it can be shaped. This welding tank forge is a great place to get started.

This YouTube video tutorial makes the forge building process easy and answers many of the questions you may have. Get started today with a new hobby or business by building this welding tank forge.

25- Box and Burner

Simple, inexpensive and efficient. These forge plans show by popsci you how to build a box that can retain the heat from a burner so the metal can be heated enough to be hammered into the desired shape. Professional looking results and easy of moving would make this design a good choice for taking to craft fairs or similar venues for on-site metal forging or glass blowing.

26- Blacksmith’s Coal Forge

Hot coals in a bucket is the basic principle of this blacksmith’s coal forge at instructables. A hair dryer is used as a blower to help control the heat and galvanized buckets are used to contain the charcoal.

This YouTube video will talk you through the simple build that will create a functional and effective diy coal forge for you to use at home.

Blacksmithing is a lucrative business that commands top dollar prices on well made and unique metal items. Hand forged steel pieces are heirloom items that can be handed down through the generations and increase in value every year.

Get your start in this lucrative business today with this easy to build coal forge.

27- Fire Brick Homemade Forge

This is a small homemade forge by manmadediy that is highly efficient and perfect for the hobbyist. It only requires nine standard sized fire bricks to create the exterior, and a blow torch to produce the heat for forging metal, so this DIY build is great for beginners.

28- Simple Backyard Forge

If you are interested in becoming a blacksmith for fun or profit, one thing that you must have is a forge. The forge can be elaborate and expensive, or it can be simple and still meet all of your blacksmithing needs.

You can use materials that you have on hand, like leftover lumber to build a frame and rocks that are sourced from your property, to save money building a forge. Just go through this easy to follow homemade forge plans on youtube so you can build one for yourself.

The forge is simple to build and small enough to fit in the backyard. It can be used to craft tools to use around the homestead and knives for hunting. A DIY forge will also enable you to generate an income through blacksmithing.

You can learn how to make hunting knives, farm tools, and many other useful and decorative items on your own simple backyard forge.

29- Get Hammering

Here are some detailed plans for making a homemade forge by popularmechanics so you can get hammering on metal very quickly.

You can use these blacksmith forge plans and start building it in the morning and hammering metal by that evening. It is a quick and easy DIY project that will help you meet all your blacksmithing needs.

Blacksmithing was once the way to have something fashioned from metal but it lost popularity as the world become modernized. In recent years, the art of blacksmithing has returned and is growing in popularity.

People who have chosen to live an off-grid lifestyle are the ones who are bringing back the lost art of blacksmithing. A DIY forge like this one will enable you to create nails, hinges, handles, and many other metal items that are needed for use on an off-grid homestead.

Knowing how to create things from metal will also help you barter for other goods and services. Blacksmithing is a profitable craft and it also makes a good hobby.

30- Brake Drum Forge

This is a great way to recycle an old brake drum from a vehicle. A brake drum is a perfect size for a homemade forge and the heavy-duty steel can withstand the high temperature generated by the fire. Recycling is good for the planet because you are keeping usable items out of the already over-filled landfills.

An inexpensive hair dryer creates the air flow to keep the fire burning hot so the metal can be heated to just the right temperature. The hair dryer keeps the air flow constant so the forge temperature will remain constant.

Use these free plans to build a homemade charcoal forge by instructables or you can burn coal in the brake drum forge. A used brake drum can be found at most junk yards and it does not need to be modified to use as a forge. Add a few steel pipes and a hair dryer and you will be ready to start forging metal. The ash falls to the bottom of the pipe and is easily emptied as needed.

A homemade forge will enable you to work with metal to create all types of useful and ornamental items. Hand crafted forged knives are in high demand and sell for top dollar and learning how to forge blades is a way to increase your income.

31- Portable Forge

Here is a great DIY forge plan for a traveling blacksmith. This portable forge can go where you go. It is small enough to not take up much space yet large enough to generate enough heat to make metal pliable.

This compact portable DIY forge by brilliantdiy will allow you to take it along with you as travel. Take it with you to forging events, knife shows, renaissance fairs, or anywhere else a forge may be useful. When this homemade portable forge is not in use, store it on a shelf in the garage or other out of the way location.

These forge plans will show you how to build this compact model that has a 12 volt rechargeable battery that will last for hours. The forge uses charcoal and the free plans include written instructions as well as a YouTube video.

Take your blacksmithing skills on the road with this small but powerful DIY portable forge. You want to consider setting up a road side blacksmith shop near your home to hone your craft and generate income. At the end of the workday, this portable forge will be easy to pack up and take back home.

32- Kitchen Sink Forge

When the stainless-steel sink has finished its usefulness in the kitchen, take it outside and use it to build a homemade forge.

These free forge plans by jackdawschoice will show you how to transform a kitchen sink, brake drum, and a hair dryer into a functional and efficient forge. The stainless-steel sink is lined with firebricks and a brake drum is set in the center to be used as the fire pot. The hair dryer blows the needed air to keep the fire burning hot and consistent.

A heavy-duty wood stand can be built from pieces of leftover lumber you may have on hand to keep the cost of this DIY project very low. The stand for the forge can be built to a customized height so it will be comfortable for you while you are enjoying metal forging.

The fundamentals of blacksmithing have been unchanged for over 200 years. You need extreme heat that remains consistent, an anvil, and a hammer. This kitchen sink forge may look a little unconventional but it will provide the consistent high heat that is needed for transforming raw metal into a desirable object.

The demand for hand forged metal work has increased over the past couple of decades and being able to sell products online has opened up a new selling venue for blacksmiths. You will be able to keep the production costs low with this homemade forge that is built from recycled items. And when production costs are low, the profit margin is increased.

33- Air Tank Forge

You can build an amazing homemade gas forge like in this YouTube video out of an old air tank with these instructions.

Living off grid often means thinking outside the traditional box to create things that are needed without using electricity. Off grid living also means becoming more self-reliant and using whatever you have on hand to create things. These free plans will show you how to transform an old air tank that was once used to fill tires with air into a homemade forge.

The forge is efficient and powerful enough to handle all of your blacksmithing needs. Create metal and iron items that are useful for hunting, farming, fishing, building, or just to add a touch of decorative beauty to your homestead.

Conclusion:

There are blacksmith guilds all over the world so it is easy to connect with fellow blacksmiths and learn from them. Developing your skills as a blacksmith will be fun and rewarding. A self-employed blacksmith can set their own working hours and prices per item. It’s a good way to make a living better if you enjoy working with your hands to create a unique and useful item.

Hope our list of homemade forge plans has helped you a lot to decide how to build your own forge.

Here we have prepared a questionnaire to answer some common questions.

FAQ’s

Can you forge with wood?

Yes. Any kind of dry wood can be used for forging and it’s a great way to use up old scrap lumber. Scrap wood from pallets, dry tree limbs, and old boards make ideal fuel for a forge. As long as the wood has not been treated with chemicals it can be used in a forge.

Which material cannot be forged?

Most metals can be forged but there is one material that cannot be forged and that is cast iron. Cast iron is brittle and has a low melting point. If cast iron is heated in a forge, it will break apart or melt.

We suggest using stainless steel, titanium, carbon steel, and other metal alloys in your forge. Forging is a good way to recycle old metal objects and create something new.

Is forged iron stronger than steel?

Steel is stronger even if the iron has been forged. Forged steel is stronger steel that has been cast or plated, making it one of the strongest materials on earth. Steel is made stronger when it’s forged since it has been manipulated to conform to the desired shape.

Can I use charcoal to forge?

We don’t recommend it even though it is an easy combustible material to obtain. It’s difficult to get the charcoal to burn hot enough to soften steel or iron so it can be forged. You would have to use a great deal of charcoal and have the airflow perfect in order to be able to forge with charcoal.

References:

Slide Share, Jul 10, 2019, “What is forging”, https://www.slideshare.net/EmilyClarke42/what-is-forging-154677737

SCRIBD, by rabikm, “Metal Forging Is A Metal Forming Process That Involves Applying Compressive Forces To A Work Piece To Deform It”, https://www.scribd.com/document/458237156/Metal-forging-is-a-metal-forming-process-that-involves-applying-compressive-forces-to-a-work-piece-to-deform-it

MDPI, 30 November 2020, by Prof. Dr. Andrzej Gontarz, “Forging Processes of Materials”,https://www.mdpi.com/journal/materials/special_issues/forging_processes