Thread: Working on a mini forge for my son - making progress

Thanks everyone - spent a lot of time reading here and elsewhere before jumping in. My son is a third year mechanical engineering student, so he is far better versed in the intricacies of making this work than I am. He also has a keen eye toward safety so that's a plus for a worried father.

Adam

The information provided so far is bang on the money. Here is a link to a gas bottle forge built by a mate of mine. I make a cameo but they work great for razor/knife forging with a single burner. While the burners are positioned upright, as suggested here not to do, I have had no issues with it. I do agree that the lower position is a better idea however and if you can implement that it would be a good idea.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=UUG...&v=EFKoGZkUQt4

I've built a few forges now so happy to answer any questions if I can. Feel free to send me a PM

Happy New Year everyone. I thought I would report back on this forge build.

All the parts came in and we packed the Kaowool first (with respirators on) and then painted on the ITC 100H refractory agent. I probably didn't order enough ITC 100 and we were a little thin on the door but it came out fine. We dried the refractory with some warm air over 2 days and then cured it on the 25th when he (my son) opened the burner as a present.

On to the first project - which was to forge some tongs out of some square stock.



Once that was done he was onto the first project of forging a knife out of an old prybar.



All in all - the forge worked great. Plenty hot. The metal easily reaches non-magnetic stage and reheats after pounding quite quickly. We're only running and between 5 and 10 psi and it's plenty hot. After he did some grinding and getting things how he wanted them (he wanted a rough look), then we heat treated and quenched in warm water.

Everything looked good but it was too brittle to take even a 30 degree edge without micro chipping so he bought a 25 dollar toaster oven and tempered about 1.5 hours at around 300 and it took a 25 degree edge and is very sharp. Since it was his first knife he didn't want to test the strength of the blade by beating it up but it definitely doesn't feel too soft on cutting.

He's interested in making straight razors but we'll have to buy some known stock for that.

Thanks for the help everyone!

Adam

Congratulations. The next step is a taller stump. He's young and will tolerate the exertion better, but a better ergonomic position for the anvil is definitely next on the tool build schedule.

Originally Posted by Mike Blue

Congratulations. The next step is a taller stump. He's young and will tolerate the exertion better, but a better ergonomic position for the anvil is definitely next on the tool build schedule.

No doubt about that Mike! He was in such a hurry to make something - he just strapped that little anvil onto a tree stump. That little Harbor Freight 15lb anvil isn't going to last at all. After three projects, it was pretty beat up. He's losing alot of energy bouncing that stump around. Need a bigger anvil and a better stand. Youth will only go so far. He's an NCAA wrestler with lots of muscle so he doesn't feel it yet!

Adam

Perhaps a 'Post Anvil' such as Charlie Lewis uses?

Anvil height from the ground is too small. It is better to use such a device anvil around 100 kg. ИМХО. The rest I liked.

May I ask what kind of burner set up you used? Setting up a gas forge has bounced around in my head quite a bit, but I can't seem to decide on a venture (bought or DIY) or a blown set up. There are pros and cons to each, curious what you chose.


BTW, great job!

Originally Posted by MattCB

May I ask what kind of burner set up you used? Setting up a gas forge has bounced around in my head quite a bit, but I can't seem to decide on a venture (bought or DIY) or a blown set up. There are pros and cons to each, curious what you chose.

Sure - we went with a pre-made venturi burner rated at 150,000BTU from a great guy out in Washington state. He is a blacksmith and teaches classes as well as makes these for schools around the country. He was very helpful and knowledgeable about the forge build - he was a great help to us and very happy to talk with us on the phone.

U s Made Gas Burner Blacksmith Forge Raku Kiln Propane Foundry 150 000 BTU | eBay

I actually bought the hose and the regulator but it didn't arrive in time for Christmas so I went to my local hardware store and built one. The hose setup came in the day after Christmas so I just put it on the shelf for the next forge.

Adam

Thank you very much!

Originally Posted by aalbina

Sure - we went with a pre-made venturi burner rated at 150,000BTU from a great guy out in Washington state. He is a blacksmith and teaches classes as well as makes these for schools around the country. He was very helpful and knowledgeable about the forge build - he was a great help to us and very happy to talk with us on the phone.

U s Made Gas Burner Blacksmith Forge Raku Kiln Propane Foundry 150 000 BTU | eBay

I actually bought the hose and the regulator but it didn't arrive in time for Christmas so I went to my local hardware store and built one. The hose setup came in the day after Christmas so I just put it on the shelf for the next forge.

Adam