Thread: Gas forge for heat treating?

Originally Posted by Bruno

It's a free pdf. You can print it if you want paper. I did

I need some more ink for my printer, definitely cheaper than buying one, I found some hardbacks for sale and they were well north of $200

This is the book in case anyone was wondering (Charlie’s copy).

I have a couple of 20lb propane tanks laying around, do you guys think the volume will be large enough assuming a muffler large enough for a chefs knife in diameter?

I’ve been looking at omega pyrometers and was thinking a 12” probe would work well, I’d drill a hole on the capped end of the muffler and insert it length ways from the back end of the forge, do you see any issues with that?

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 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?

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?

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 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.