christmas gas forge project, dimensions?

[sickle hocks]

Hi. It's Christmas and I'm home visiting dad, and his Workshop! I thought that I would take the opportunity to make a gas forge so that I could practice some forging (in anticipation of going to farrier school next fall). Maybe I'll try to make some knifes or chisels or other small things.

I'ts going to be propane, with an atmospheric burner that i'll make off burner plans on the net. I'll line it with durablanket and a coating of ITC, a couple of firebricks on the bottom. For now I want to make a small one burner forge.

Question is, what would be the approximate dimensions for the door for a farrier's forge? Also how big does the inside need to be? You can sort of tell by looking at the pictures of the commercial farrier forges, but I'd like to know for sure and not make it half an inch too small or something..

thanks so much!

[Bradley-1stChoice]

I would start with a 10”x10” HSS 11” long,
lay it on its side, cap one end with a light 1/8” plate.
Make a plate removable on the other end.
Cut a round hole on top for your burner,
Door hole front and flap door hole out back.

Inside dimensions no less that 9”wide x 10”deep x 5” high,
working opening 2" x 9"
adjust for draft shoes.
Put a shelf out front and a flap door out the back, 2”x2” will do.
Recommendation: use a factory burner/venture only,
I have manufactured my own and they worked just fine for me
but if you don’t tweak or know how they wont work for you.

I hope that helps