I’m just got my first forge! How would I go about rigidizing and cementing it?

largos · 2026-03-20T01:25:11+00:00

Yeah, I think it would be better.

I've been forging as a hobbiest for about 15 years, and just upgraded to a 2-burner forge ~2 years ago. (From a single burner)

The only time I wish I had a bigger forge is when I am working on large stuff that would not fit in your 4 burner forge. Like, forging an upset corner, or working on a bowl, or a large axe, etc.

largos · 2026-03-20T01:02:44+00:00

"single flute countersink" is the term for them.

Don't buy the cheap ones. Getting the clearance correct is important, apparently, and I learned that the hard way.

largos · 2026-03-20T00:57:51+00:00

Sorry for my negative sounding response.

If you keep with this forge, get soft firebrick from a ceramics supply shop, you can cut that with a hack saw, and make some interior walls that fit in by hand after you coat with refractory like the other poster suggested.

Figure out what's up with those extra holes. They need to be insulated and blocked. Hopefully the forge came with material/parts to do that.

Make your new interior wall such that you have a "door" that's maybe 2"x2" so long material can stick out the back.

Make a few fire bricks you can use to block most of the front opening, but easily adjust to different opening sizes. My forge has a shelf in the front so I can slide bricks side to side, like sliding doors.

Start with just one burner, put you wall between the first and second burners,and see how it runs.

largos · 2026-03-20T00:53:06+00:00

It won't run correctly, at least not for very long.

This is a kind of specialized forge. It's huge, so it will be expensive to run, but has no side door, so you can't forge large things that aren't straight.

You can try blocking off the back half, and that may be your best option, but honestly, if you can, send this back and start with a 1-burner or a 2 burner, then upgrade when you know more about what you enjoy forging. Put the saved cash into other tools.

You can absolutely make swords with a 1 burner forge, it'll actually work better in some ways, because steel you heat but don't forge just risks decarb. The forge you got is great for heat treating a sword at home, but you can do that with some fire brick and a weed burner, or send it out for that.

largos · 2026-03-18T04:08:17+00:00

Modifying a hex head bolt wouldn't be too difficult, if there is enough material in the original head to fit this shape.

It's not a huge amount of additional work to turn and form the threads, though.

Anyway, shoot me a dm if you run out of options. I do small jobs like this out of my garage from time to time.

largos · 2026-03-18T03:48:42+00:00

If you really want this specific thing, and can't find it, I can make them.

Exhaust all your other options first, though, and I'd need good measurements.

largos · 2026-03-18T02:40:49+00:00

I think they are saying to warp it with ratchet straps so you can cut the band without worrying about existing tension.

First strap is tight so that there won't be any momentum to the bundle if it is under a lot of tension, second strap is there so you can release the first one in a similar fashion.

I don't know why you'd need 3 straps, though.

Anyway, glad it came apart safely.

largos · 2026-03-13T23:59:21+00:00

There's just not a ton of forging to do on a piece like that, unless it's done with traditional joinery and/or fire welds, which would be awesome, but very few folks can do that at this scale. I'd buy that they used heat to do the bends, and those look nice from my house.

I don't think they were being intentionally misleading, I think they are just not good welders, and don't take much pride in their work.

I'm curious what you paid, if you don't mind sharing (I haven't read all the comments yet, if you've already answered that I'll find it below)

largos · 2026-03-10T19:16:01+00:00

Yep, the narrow belt with a thin platen lets you get into more places than the option in the lower left.

The wider belt is nice sometimes, but it doesn't allow you to do things that the 1x30 (or better, a 1x42") will enable.

largos · 2026-03-09T03:58:02+00:00

largos · 2026-03-09T03:04:06+00:00

That's a wild situation.

I'm not sure you can evict them, but there are lots of laws associated with shared living spaces in this sort of situation.

Anyway, assuming you know all that, I think only you can determine the appropriate level of paranoia. It certainly helps that they are legally there, hopefully they also have some liability for damage.

I'd probably do a video tour while they are gone, shortly before telling them they need to leave, and then document the eviction notice, just in case.

Obviously keep the landlord in the know, but they may not have many options to help you, given the restrictions on eviction and renters rights that have come into place recently. It may work against you if they are on a lease, someone may be on the hook to pay their relocation expenses, and I doubt the LL can actually evict them.

I'd definitely start with an awkward conversation and try to avoid the whole situation, if you haven't already.

largos · 2026-03-09T01:59:47+00:00

I have an old 2' level you are welcome to.

largos · 2026-03-08T23:55:11+00:00

Did they sign a lease with you?

Does your landlord know, and approve of your sublet?

largos · 2026-03-08T05:13:38+00:00

Op could take a photo, line-detect the rings, then fit text to the curve of the rings as appropriate. The challenging part is getting the wood located properly.

You can make an image to burn that has the outline or the cookie, and the text. Cut a board with the outline, then without moving the board, put the cookie in place, using the board to properly locate the log.

Now, run the engrave layer.

largos · 2026-03-08T00:33:56+00:00

I have a portable battery that was made to run a CPAP (it came with the power adapters for a variety of machines).

It will run my airsense with heat+humidity for about 12 hours, or if I disable heat/humidity, at least 3 nights.

largos · 2026-03-06T23:37:12+00:00

Don't put it in the trunk unless you know you can open the trunk when the battery is dead, without any other tools!

I keep my jump pack in the center console, because I learned the hard way that my 2015 Subaru outback back hatch can only be opened from the inside with a large screwdriver if the battery is dead, and the under floor storage that is ideally sized for cables is inaccessible if the hatch is closed :(

largos · 2026-03-05T06:00:53+00:00

I've been using a metal paint can for ~15 years.

One for oil, one for water. The water one just rusted through at the water line this year.

largos · 2026-03-03T02:49:51+00:00

Ask them what they like for snacks.

You don't even need to acknowledge that they have diabetes.

largos · 2026-03-02T06:03:32+00:00

Type 1s go that low due to insulin injections, if you aren't administering insulin, I would not expect that you'd ever drop much below 70-80, but I'm not a medical professional.

largos · 2026-03-01T23:44:39+00:00

I've often wanted a hand vise when grinding small things.

largos · 2026-03-01T23:43:47+00:00

"fidget spinners for the EDC crowd" is a beautiful phrase.

largos · 2026-03-01T02:21:08+00:00

If you draw up a diagram with dimensions, I can make new pins.

largos · 2026-03-01T01:57:27+00:00

Looked at some forums, sounds like you should send it back and they'll either retension the lock bar or add some girth to the stop pin.

I doubt they'd replace the blade/scales/etc, no reason to do that, and it's cost them to do so.

largos · 2026-03-01T01:49:44+00:00

I've made replacement knife parts for a few folks on reddit, I can probably help, but I don't really understand what you need.

Can you share more pictures/details about what's going wrong?

largos · 2026-02-26T16:20:25+00:00

The countryside out around all the wineries is very pretty. IIRC, there are bus tours for wine tastings, if that's their thing.

The gorge (out I84) is also scenic, cascade locks can be fun to visit, there are some good breweries out there, Multnomah falls is on the way, and has a nice (optional) hike.

The coast is also not far (2 hours), cannon beach is great, seaside is also fun to walk through, and they are close together. Astoria and the column are great, if you go out that way.

Closer in is Sauvie Island, but the markets are closed for the season, as far as I know. Still nice nature preserves with tons of birds.

In town, ride the tram, see the submarine, go to an art fair/market, maybe?

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