Thread: new forge

OK, Charlie, so how's it on heating horseshoes?

Here are some more pictures. The tip is a .023. The front is bolted on the back is welded on.

Charlie

I thank you so much Charlie. One last question and I'll leave you be for a little while...do you use any sort of regulator from the propane bottle? I have read a bit and have heard reference to regulating with a low pressure regulator like an acetylene regulator to get the fuel pressure right for the proper btu/heat...or is the torch shutoff you are using working fine for you?

Again thank you for your assistance. I think I'll plan on bolting both ends to repack easily, but pretty much a carbon of yours.

The pressure is straight from the tank no regulator, I regulate the flow with the needle valve the pressure is from the tank.

Charlie

This style of venturi burner works better with a lot of pressure behind the orifice. The high speed gas jet entrains air via vacuum as it is sent down the pipe. Internal turbulence will mix the air/gas and the magic happens at the burner end. Getting the right balance of air and gas has been calculated. Ron Reil was one of the first to publish a good deal of it. The balance is achieved by orifice size against the size of the air holes against the diameter and length of the tube. If you make the air holes too big, a choke tube is handy.

MIG tips are useful as they are already threaded, but the size of the orifice can be a little off. They might be designed for an 0.035 wire which means they may be 0.040 to allow the wire to pass through without dragging. I drill all mine. Even so, if you are observant and realize you may have a little more gas than you want, you adjust the air intakes and off you go. I'd recommend starting small and working up though.

The rest of the business of running one of these is no different than tuning a wind instrument.

I have been doing some research on building my own forge. Running straight from the tank sounds like a great money saving idea beside the fact that it works better. I am wondering about the safety factor in doing this. Like Charlie's valve is hooked up with a hose clamp. That kinda scares me. He is still around so I assume it has worked so far but I think I would use a little more secure fitting and I am wondering if there are any other concerns like hose pressure etc. I may be wrong but I understand the propane tank pressure can be as high as 250psi.

Originally Posted by 10Pups

I have been doing some research on building my own forge. Running straight from the tank sounds like a great money saving idea beside the fact that it works better. I am wondering about the safety factor in doing this. Like Charlie's valve is hooked up with a hose clamp. That kinda scares me. He is still around so I assume it has worked so far but I think I would use a little more secure fitting and I am wondering if there are any other concerns like hose pressure etc. I may be wrong but I understand the propane tank pressure can be as high as 250psi.

I have had the same thoughts, but have not acted on them. I do have a ball valve right at the tank so I can turn off quickly.

Charlie