[TheForge] air curtain

[theforge@mailman.qth.net]

I've noticed quite a few inquiries about the air curtain.  When I mentioned it a while back I failed to mention perhaps that I used an old squirrel cage blower that I found at K&K surplus in Commerce City Colorado, they handle all sorts of used government stuff and a fair amount of junk folks bring in.
  I think that all that matters is that the blower pushes a good amount of air.  The more the better.  The more air you push the cooler things are.  I have found that it helps a lot to make the air be delivered as close as possible to the bottom of your forges door, that way you get the strongest blast.  To achieve this I used the largest exhaust pipe I could find at the auto-parts store.  I think I used 2.5 inch, though I would use larger if I were to do it again.  I had to make a square to round adapter fro the fan,  I used wood on the first one I made and a hole saw that fit tight to the exhaust pipe.  THis is not rocket science, or I couldn't do it.
  I find that my shop stays much cooler, my arms, hands, gloves, and steel tongs and attached handles stay A LOT cooler.
  Try it with what ever kind of blower you can find CHEAP and work from there.  Again, more air more better works :) 
Trusting HIM,
Steve Rollert
keenedgeknives.com
doveknives.com