Thread: forge ideas

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

If you're primarily using the forge for heat-treating, make a bigger two-brick forge and put a piece of 2" iron pipe inside to even out the heat. One of the main problems with these forges is that they have an intense hot spot, which makes getting an even heat on a blade difficult.

How does the iron pipe fit in? I envision cutting a section of pipe to the same length as the chamber and drilling a hole in it for the burner in the same place as it is in the brick ? The article you posted suggested using ITC-100 to line the chamber is the pipe a cheaper alternative ?

Barney

No, the pipe doesn't have a hole in it at all. The pipe is about 1" smaller than the chamber in the forge. It shelters the blade from direct contact with the corrosive flame, and it spreads the heat out more evenly via conduction. I only do this for heat-treating. When I'm forging, I use the flame straight up.

The ITC-100 is a refractory coating that will make the forge more efficient and durable. It's not related to the pipe suggestion.

Josh

if you really want to go on the cheap I know a guy who uses yellow river clay instead of refactory
coating. this guy uses it in his cupola to melt iron for casting iron. he used it to line the bottom of the cupola and has to replace it every few times he uses the thing.

Originally Posted by beardnomore

if you really want to go on the cheap I know a guy who uses yellow river clay instead of refactory
coating. this guy uses it in his cupola to melt iron for casting iron. he used it to line the bottom of the cupola and has to replace it every few times he uses the thing.

I have been toying with and an idea like that also, I have been reading Dave Gingerys book on his charcoal foundry. He uses bentonite clay and sand to make the refactory lining.

I keep changing my mind from hand held propane torch and fire brick (s), to brake drum, to Gingery style.

I will see if I can get somthng working this weekend.

Charlie

Clay is what many charcoal or coal forges are made out of, but I don't know how well it would work for propane. For a small burner, you might not ever get the clay up to temperature. Keep in mind that a small coal forge burns a lot hotter than many propane forges ever could.

I think it would require a really long time to heat up, and you'd waste a lot of propane. You can get all the refractory supplies you need for a smallish forge for less than $50, I think. Propane is about $20 for a 20 lb. tank for me, so I'd recoup that cost in a few months.

It's worth a shot, though; I'd love to hear the results.

Josh