Unless you’re into keg shoes and cold shoeing exclusively, you’ll need to replace your forge liner sooner or later. For the inexperienced, the job might seem more challenging than a draft horse with an attitude problem. But it’s cheaper than buying a new forge, and with guidance from an expert, replacing a liner isn’t all that tough.

So purchase a liner replacement kit from your supplier, then turn to the following help from Eric Cox and have at it. Cox works for N.C. Tool, a longtime manufacturer of forges for the farrier industry, and knows forges inside and out. He offers the following instructions.

• Disassemble your forge completely, taking the burners, door and ends off. Remove all screws and other fasteners. Carefully note and remember where each piece came from.

If you have an open-end forge, mark each side as right or left to ensure that you can correctly reassemble the pieces later. If you have a back door forge, it doesn’t matter which side the ends go on.

• Use a hose or bucket of water to thoroughly soak the old liner to prevent toxic dust from escaping and being inhaled. It would also be a good idea to wear a dust mask while taking out the old liner and putting in a new one. DO NOT soak the new liner.
• Pull…