Thread: Planning a new little forge.

Well actually, I plan on making some tools first. I need a custom set of tongs to start with.
I will also bang out some razor shaped objects with some pieces of steel I have laying around. Things like a set of cutter bits for use on fiberglass and other odd hard stuff. :<0)

Keep me thinking Bruno !
I was going to clay the nozzle in place fairly tight at first but I am thinking I may just make the bracket to hang it now. I may want to move the angle some after I see what happens when I fire it up. I can't raise it without cutting more brick (which I would rather not do) but I can point it more to center.

What do you think about this angle ? It is pointed right at the top/center of the back door.

What you want is for the flame to swirl - the up angle looks good. I would not want it pointed toward the back - mine is almost exactly like yours, but parallel to the back door. And, you are going to have a lot fun with it. Tongs are a fun project.

I was just using the point of the back door as an angle reference. I did a build mistake when I put the ho;e in the side. I measured the middle from the outside without thinking for a second. On the inside the burner is offset to the back because of the back bricks. At first I was pissed but after thinking about it, it may work out better. If I angle it just a little towards the front I am thinking it may spread out the heat even more. (see how I explain away my mistakes ) I can't make any noise right now because the neighborhood is still asleep but when the sun comes up this thing is going to get finished.

Don't clay it into place. Firstly, you may want to tweak a bit, and that becomes difficult when it is clayed in. Second, due to thermal stresses and mechanical tension, the thing might just come loose. You don't want the burner to flop around on the floor of your workshop when it is full on. Bad things might happen. A bracket is a much more convenient and much safer option.

Got it. The bracket is not an option but mandatory.

Well, it's almost in operation. I still have to put the clay in it and i will get that done before the roosters wake up tomorrow. The advice is to let the clay set a few hours and then slowly fire up the forge. I'll have to read up on that but it sounds pretty straight forward. Nobody has piped up about Bubble alumina so I guess I am on my own here. I got enough to do it twice :<0) .









I was going to go with a mirror finish, but I am thinking satin would look nice.

What's the first thing your gonna make??

Perhaps a silly question, but how are you going to get the blade out while the torch is burning?
If you put in a razor blank, and it is laying flat on the bottom, it may be difficult to grab with standard tongs through that little window. Especially since you can't really look inside during operation. Or are you going to open the door every time?

Just asking. I never used gas so I wouldn't know.

Originally Posted by 10Pups

Not so easy as you might think. I have been looking in all sorts of places and have the word out to all friends. This is the kind of choices I have right now in the best classifieds in the US. within a days drive. The first one sells for $550.00, the second is really a joke at $150.00 and last for $450.00 and it looks okay but 250 lbs is not going to work in my small shop. I have to be able to move the thing from storage space to work place. I wish I had my own shop again but this is not the case at this time. This has me thinking I should drop back down to a 35lb. cast steel and wait on getting into my own place again before getting a real anvil. This should work for banging out some razors which is my main goal after all.
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This is the 35lb. anvil I am thinking about. Or the 70. They ship free ! Anvils

That second one looks like it should be bolted to a dock to tie up boats. If you get a little one you can always sell it later if you decide to upgrade, or hang on to it for mobile razormaking.

I was planing on making a little rack type thing that holds the blank right in the middle. I have enough of the insulation to cut out a piece and coat it with clay.

I made a 3D model and took a pic so you can visualize it. It's a simple model just so you can see what's in my mind.



I am also planning on making some tongs that will clamp a blank and hold it in there. Unless they melt while I am using them.
I could also open the door although my quick little clasp will have to be remodeled if I open it that often.