[TheForge] Strengthening castable refractory

[Jerry Frost]

Tom:

I reread my reply and realized I was unclear due to poor wordsmithing.
<sigh>

I meant to say I didn't think expansion joints were necessary in a small
furnace/forge. It would've been nearly impossible to make expansion joints
in the one I have now. A mailbox shaped forge on the other hand would be
easier to make in separate pieces. Citing my forge with it's thin rammed
inner liner and it's age were support for the statement. I also intended to
say I was going to use needles in the next one.

The refactory I used was already mixed. I dried it with a lightbulb for a
couple days then fired it with 5-6 charcoal briquetes before using it with
the propane burner. It ain't 15 years old but it's been through the mill,
even got fired from around -15*f once.

Regardless of how well mine works and how I put it together I appreciate
your input; that you have so much experience only makes it better.

Don't worry buddy you don't have to worry about "seeming" to put your foot
in your mouth, if it ever happens we'll let you know. <evil grin>

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

Meadow Lakes, AK.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Thomas A. Troszak" <tom@tomtroszak.com>
To: <theforge@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, August 22, 2003 11:27 AM
Subject: [TheForge] Strengthening castable refractory


> Dear Marc,
>
> I hesitated to mention this because, well, I seem to stick my foot in my
> mouth (or keyboard) every time I attempt to reply to someone on this list.
>
> My personal recommendation is that separation between the roof and walls
(to
> allow expansion) is a good thing, regardless of the size of the furnace.
The
> cardboard should work fine.
>

>
> I am just attempting to share from my experience, I hope it is helpful.
>
> Let me know if you can't find the needles, I can get them for you.
>
> Tom Troszak
>