Thread: Gas forge for heat treating?

Originally Posted by jfk742

Is there a place you guys like to order ceramic wool and bricks from? Thinking buying bulk as opposed to what I need right would save me some money in the long run.

I have thought the same and wish you lived closer.......

Probably yes on the bulk but it has to be "in the long run."

Seems to me, Tim likely has enough leftovers to do his forge 3 times again.
Could be wrong.
Buying a sack of this and a bundle of that is how it goes, I think?

Still, shipping the stuff takes a bite out of crime.

You are right and if you were able to drive or walk over I would give you some! Buy local because the shipping would suck.

I bought a similar brand to Satinite or how ever you spell it and I had to get a gallon......

I used less than a cup!

Tim

It makes me crazy looking at prices, pretty much resigned myself to buying a bunch as buying what I think I currently need isn’t terribly less expensive than buying bulk. I think worst case scenario if I get way too much I could put it on CL, with that being said the welder we have on the job right now does some forging, I’ll talk to him maybe he has some stuff laying around he doesn’t need or want.

Hey Tim, so with the refractory cement I need enough on the wool to just cover it? What’s the best consistency to apply it?

I had typed out a nice long reply and lost it.

Upon recommendation by Howard Clark, I picked up an Atlas Mini Forge. I already had a thermocouple. It is a handy little forge, you can forge weld with it, forge simple steels, and can heat treat with it.

Just something to consider.

I have mostly got my ceramic wool and cement from other smiths who bought a whole box or sack full.

I have bought some also,

HarbisonWalker has a center in Dallas

and online from

High Temperature Tools & Refractory | Welcome

I have always put the cement on pretty wet when coating ceramic wool, Like thick ketchup but not as thick as peanut butter.

Originally Posted by jfk742

I found some post anvil stock. After pricing out what a block of 4140 would cost I think I’m just going to pick up a 4x4x4 block already ht’d from old world anvils. Though I do have a scrap yard down the street from me, can I just walk around and hit things with a hammer and just grab whatever rings the best instead?

I was in my local antique/junk store and ran across a nice anvil. It didn't have a weight shown but it is between 29 and 30 inches overall length. Just for grins, picked up one of the hammers off the table behind the anvil and struck the anvil lightly and got a nice ring.

After checking the price and picking myself up off the floor, I went home and looked on the internet for anvils. Maybe the price was not as out of line as I thought.

Now a question. While looking in hyperspace a saw several anvils that were cast iron. I would have thought cast iron was not suitable for an anvil. Am I all wet?

Hey John, this what you're looking for?

Originally Posted by jfk742

Hey Tim, so with the refractory cement I need enough on the wool to just cover it? What’s the best consistency to apply it?

Charlie already gave a good answer. For lack of better terms you more or less thickly paint/smear it on.

The types I have used come with a layer of what seems like oil if it isn't on the top and when you get done level it out and make sure the oil covers it when stored. That will make it last longer when stored.

Originally Posted by Diboll

I was in my local antique/junk store and ran across a nice anvil. It didn't have a weight shown but it is between 29 and 30 inches overall length. Just for grins, picked up one of the hammers off the table behind the anvil and struck the anvil lightly and got a nice ring.

After checking the price and picking myself up off the floor, I went home and looked on the internet for anvils. Maybe the price was not as out of line as I thought.

Now a question. While looking in hyperspace a saw several anvils that were cast iron. I would have thought cast iron was not suitable for an anvil. Am I all wet?

Hey John, this what you're looking for?

Pretty much, but I too have some sticker shock while looking at prices. I was thinking a 60# anvil would be awesome but will probably just go with a post anvil as the price is much more friendly.

As far as cast goes all the reviews I’ve read and reports I’ve seen have pretty much stated to run away. The only cast I’ve heard of being somewhat desirable will have a hardened piece welded to the top of the anvil for a striking surface.

I think for now just getting set up for heat treating and stock removal is stretching it financially for me. If I do find a deal on an anvil though I’ll probably pick it up. Best price I’ve seen for a local vintage anvil has been about $15 a pound. For that kind of money it seems like new would be the way to go plus I won’t need to do any resurfacing or restoration.

Originally Posted by spazola

I have mostly got my ceramic wool and cement from other smiths who bought a whole box or sack full.

I have bought some also,

HarbisonWalker has a center in Dallas

and online from

High Temperature Tools & Refractory | Welcome

I have always put the cement on pretty wet when coating ceramic wool, Like thick ketchup but not as thick as peanut butter.

I need to try and find something local it would appear. The shipping is what’s killing me, the cost is equal to or greater than the material I need, though this may be the price I have to pay to play.

Edit: turns out there’s a HarbisonWalker down the street from my house! Need to see if they’ll sell to the public.