[TheForge] Re: reducing fuel costs by improving forge efficiency.

[Jerry Frost]

Doming a rectangle results compound curves which differ (geometrically) at
virtually every position (by quadrant that is). Even if the differences were
small it would require a new set of sidewall bricks for every couple inches
of position change. It would also seriously inhibit free orientation if for
instance you wanted a triangular firebox.

An alternative would be a barrel vaulted lid. Then the end walls could have
a semi-circular upper edge but the sidewalls would still have to deal with
varying angles of contact with the lid. Also as the sidewalls moved towards
the center the lid would have to lower to maintain contact with the
sidewalls or you'd have to "shim" the sidewalls. Of course if it's a shallow
enough vault this would be a minimal concern. The problem for making odd
shaped fireboxes would be at least as bad as for the dome.

The only way I see to keep the forges versatility at a maximum and it's
complexity at a minimum is to keep the floor and lid flat. Of course a
variable volume forge may not be as important as I think but doggone, I
can't count how many times I wished I could get a localized heat from
propane similar to coal, without firing up the torch.

I know I called keeping the hard refractory inner liner in place a "problem"
but it's more of an engineering detail to be solved by choosing the most
effective existing method. As has been mentioned there are a number of
hangars, commercial and improvised to do the job. I've pretty much decided
to give a home made insulating refractory a try as the inner liner for the
lid. If it doesn't work I'll consider using insulating hardboard and if that
fails I'll fall back on light firebrick in a "clamp".

Please keep the ideas coming though. It'll be some time before I build this
forge and I'm always open to new ideas. While I pick new ideas to pieces I
do it to my ideas mercilessly and THEY can't get away from me. <grin>

Thanks Pete.

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

Meadow Lakes, AK.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Fels And Phoebe Palmer" <artgawk at thegrid.net>
To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, July 31, 2004 11:05 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Re: reducing fuel costs by improving forge
efficiency.


> Jerry:
> Could you shape the top edge of the top layer of bricks to fit the curve
> and  lay them up in moveable arcs? Guess you'd have to shape the ends
> too but  hi alumina bricks are easy to shape....maybe too easy.
> Pete F
>
> Jerry Frost wrote:
>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >Doming the lid would help and might even "solve" the "problem" of keeping
> >the liners in place.
> >
> >Unfortunately the nature of the forge's adjustability requires the
sidewalls
> >be movable and a domed lid would leak fire when the sidewalls are moved
in
> >from the perimeter. An inch or so of Kaowool on top of the sidewalls as a
> >gasket might do the trick though. I'll keep the idea in mind.
> >
> >Thanks,
> >
> >Jerry
> >------------------------
> >If it ain't forged
> >it ain't real.
> >Wrought iron is.
> >The FrostWorks
> >
> >Meadow Lakes, AK.
> >