Hot & Shiny WIP

You see that over here too tanks./canisters. You also see people using large diameter well casing pipe for vertical forges. For the big sword heat treating forges like the ones that Don Fogg built, they use oil drums. As for charcoal, you are kind of unique for a western smith. I think that the neb-tribal guys like Tai Goo and Tim Lively and folks like Murray Carter who do the traditional Japanese smithing use it, but most use either propane or coal/coke. I have seen some guys use waste oil or natural gas too. We may have an advantage in the US in that gear for small time makers does not have to meet the same industrial safety standards as big companies do, so we can buy some gear that you may have to make yourself over there. With that said a LOT of guys still make their own stuff on this side of the pond.

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Originally Posted by Bruno

In Belgium and Germany, it seems common to use propane or butane canisters to make a forge. They cut off both ends, mount it horizontally, coat it like above, and shove a burner in the middle. They do this because those canisters are very strong, and cheap. I have seen pics of Achim making wootz by setting one of those things vertically, place the crucible in the middle, and put a tile on top of the opening.

Most smiths I know here work this way. People in the arts and crafts business tend to use regular coal. So far I am the only bladesmith I know here in this area who uses charcoal.

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I must say I am very impressed with what you gentlemen and others are doing. Really! :bow

Quick question: do you guys use any thread sealant on the mig tip? Obviously the rest of the fittings are airtight but if the mig tip gets hot it probably shouldn't have Teflon on it, or am I wrong?

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Originally Posted by Atchbo

Quick question: do you guys use any thread sealant on the mig tip? Obviously the rest of the fittings are airtight but if the mig tip gets hot it probably shouldn't have Teflon on it, or am I wrong?

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I have Teflon on mine. My mig tip never gets hot. It's pretty far from the flame and the forge, plus it has high velocity propane gas going through it that is colder than ambient temperature due to the phase change at the tank which is endothermic as well as flowing ambient air on the outside that is being pulled in by the accelerator.

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Originally Posted by Atchbo

Quick question: do you guys use any thread sealant on the mig tip? Obviously the rest of the fittings are airtight but if the mig tip gets hot it probably shouldn't have Teflon on it, or am I wrong?

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No need on mine mate as I use olive type compression fitting, I can change my tips but the olive ring remain fixed on each tip.
And all my other connections are standard industrial oxy & acetalene hose & fittings including my quick connector which never use tape either.
also if your mig tip gets hot enough to melt thread tape your burner is to short or have other problems going on.
my tip doesn't even get warn after running a few hours as the flame is only at ther burner end.
my son inlaw is a gas fitter and told me flashback arresters are pointless also on LPG sets also as the gas won't burn back like acetylene will.
LPG is a lot more stable than many think.