Author Topic: any forge pics to share ? (Read 4773 times)

geno · « **on:** July 31, 2007, 08:09:00 AM »

If any one has any forg pics or Ideas that are not to elaborate to share, please do. Thanks.
G

robtattoo · « **Reply #1 on:** July 31, 2007, 08:26:00 AM »

For a lot of use, or just a one-off?

As a one-off or occasional use forge, all you need is a galvanised bucket. Cut a 1" hole in the bottom, or bottom corner, Stick a 2' length of copper pipe into the hole. Fill the bucket with charcoal, light it & use either bellows or a hairdryer to blow down your pipe. This'll get more than hot enough to forge steel! Downside is, it won't last long & it creates a LOT of dust & ash!

hickstick · « **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2007, 03:33:00 PM »

one warning I would add to robs suggestion it "be careful with the galvanized bucket" ganvanization burning will produce fumes which can be harmful. I would prefer you use plain steel.

also you didn't mention fuel sorce....charcoal? coal? propane? heres a few of my forges

stainless steel stock pot lined with 2" kaowool and coated with satanite. homemade propane-forced air burner:

hight temp insulating fire brick forge using a plumbers propane torch:

handcrank charcoal 'washtub forge' ala tim lively (note the galvi tub is lined with adobe to insulate it from burning:

and my fav....campfire forge using hardwood lump charcoal with a steel pipe for the tuyere (air hole) and contractor garbage bag for the bellows:

all i did here was to dig a groove in the several inches of wood ash lining a large campfire ring, and shove the steel pipe in.

so I guess you can see they can be as complex as you want or as simple and temporary as a 'hole in the ground'....thats real 'in the dirt' knife making.

robtattoo · « **Reply #3 on:** July 31, 2007, 04:13:00 PM »

Home made Propane forge. Rolled out of 1/16" mild steel into an 8" tube with 1/8" plate ends. The open end has a hinged face to replace the 4" kaowool lining & a 2-1/2" opening. The forge is fed via a roofer's propane torch, ducted into the fire cylinder at a 30deg angle & force fed with a hairdryer, via vacuum cleaner hose.

It works a treat & cost around $80 to build...

geno · « **Reply #4 on:** July 31, 2007, 04:19:00 PM »

I think my mother in law still has a propane ceramic kiln. I am not sure how hot it gets I might check into that..

geno · « **Reply #5 on:** July 31, 2007, 04:20:00 PM »

I am guessing that kaowool comes from a fireplace store?

robtattoo · « **Reply #6 on:** July 31, 2007, 04:27:00 PM »

You should be able to get Kaowool from a kiln/pottery suppliers. There's no real use for it in fireplaces (although it couldn't hurt to check!)
Most ceramic kilns only get to around 1000F. You really need to be around the 1800 mark if possible, especially if you intend to do any forge welding. Basically, the hotter the better. I've had a thermocouple into mine & it maxed out at 2552F!! :eek:

hickstick · « **Reply #7 on:** July 31, 2007, 07:29:00 PM »

nice rob. sure looks hot enough

I'm working on another forge right now made out of an old 20gal propane bottle that will have inch and a quarter pipe for the burner...the one I have in the stock pot forge was only out of 1/2" pipe and it it'll get hot enough to weld but it takes a while to get there....

gene...most furnace/boiler supply places have it too...do a googl search for 'refractory supplies' near you....you should come up with something....

I'd also recommend picking up a few books (anything by wayne goddard, ed fowler, gene chapman, etc) or poking around a few knife making sites if you are serious...some of the top ones are knifenetwork, primal fires, and bladesmith's forum.

geno · « **Reply #8 on:** July 31, 2007, 07:48:00 PM »

thanks guys
G

Jeremy · « **Reply #9 on:** August 01, 2007, 07:23:00 AM »

Just a single kiln insulating brick with a few holes drilled into it for a small propane torch.

I used it with just one torch for a year, but got impatient with how long it took to heat stuff up (I made the chamber too big) so I added a second.

I have a box of the kiln insulating bricks I've been passing out to guys for a year now... want one?

vermonster13 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 10, 2008, 11:06:00 PM »

Just for Chip and Frank

sticshooter · « **Reply #11 on:** January 10, 2008, 11:17:00 PM »

HAHAHA! Jeremys little bricks work awesome. I am moving up soon though. <><

Hooked · « **Reply #12 on:** January 10, 2008, 11:21:00 PM »

Where can I get a kiln insulating brick? Lowes? Home Depot? Jeremy, ya got anymore? I'll pay shipping!

vermonster13 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 10, 2008, 11:32:00 PM »

If Jeremy doesn't have any left check any pottery supply places near you Chip.

OzarkRamblr · « **Reply #14 on:** January 10, 2008, 11:44:00 PM »

Ingenious

JEFF B · « **Reply #15 on:** January 10, 2008, 11:54:00 PM »

here is my little bugger

lined with fire clay

vermonster13 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 11, 2008, 12:03:00 AM »

Nice job there Jeff!

JEFF B · « **Reply #17 on:** January 11, 2008, 01:07:00 AM »

i tell you the dam crank set me back $150 and the clay $30 but the wood was free

Jeremy · « **Reply #18 on:** January 11, 2008, 07:37:00 AM »

Yup, I still have a box of the bricks. PM me your address and I'll get one out.
My new forge is from Poor Boy Forge on fleabay and is made from a 20# bottle lined with kaowool. Now if I only had the time to fire it up!!

tippit · « **Reply #19 on:** January 11, 2008, 09:10:00 AM »

Mine was a cast off from our blacksmith/ferrier...Doc

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Author Topic: any forge pics to share ? (Read 4773 times)

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