[TheForge] gas forge design

[Jerry Frost]

Yes fuel oil, though being more than 30 years ago I don't remember
specifics. Also, even though it'd melt your work in short order I don't
remember even the instructor getting a weld out of it. I think it was the
sulphur or other contaminants. Fuel oil isn't like coal, charcoal, propane
or natural gas, it has all kinds of "other" things in it. Coal, charcoal,
prop, etc. are clean:  charcoal is relatively pure carbon as is coal once
coked and prop, nat gas, etc. are relatively pure combinatins of hydrogen
and carbon.

Waste oil burning forges come up every now and then, it's a logical thing to
think of. Unfortunately it's not a good thing to try, here's why.

It's waste oil because of a couple things but the thing we're concerned with
is contamination. Waste oil is loaded with all kinds of metal from whatever
engine, gearbox, etc. it came out of. Also, there may be other contaminants,
especially if it's from an engine, combustion byproducts blowing by the
rings and maybe some anti-freeze, etc.  So, not only would it contaminate
and possibly poison the work (say a weld) you'd be breathing the vaporized
metals and . . . ?.

Waste oil heaters are much more complicated and expensive than fuel oil
heaters. They not only have to contend with different weights of oil, they
have to do a good job of scrubbing contaminants from the exhaust.

Like I say, it's a logical thought but in light of the hazards I don't know
of anybody who's tried it. I'm not.

Frosty
------------------------
If it ain't forged
it ain't real.
Wrought iron is.
The FrostWorks

Meadow Lakes, AK.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Hewitt" <bugnco@lighthousekeeper.com>
To: <theforge@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2003 9:19 AM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] gas forge design


> Ok I like this thread, now I have some questions.
>
> Oil fired forge?  I am assuming like #2 Fuel oil, or equivalent.
>
> I am interested if anyone has some thoughts on a waste oil fired forge.  I
> am about to build one as an experiment, has anyone else done such a thing?
> In the past i built a transmission fluid fired furnace for a glass
crucible.
> Transmission fluid was used because it burns very clean.  Would the extra
> carbon from waste oil burn hurt the forge or the pieces being worked.  I
am
> going to assume not because we use coal forges...  What better place for
> carbon soot than coal.
>
> I would appreciate and comments anyone might have.
>
> Thanks
>
> Paul Hewitt
>
>