[TheForge] Treadle forge

[Jerry Frost]

> Frosty,
>
> I was sort of turning over in my mind something like the ceramic chip
idea,
> but using lava rock instead.  You could have a propane line coming into
the
> bottom of the forge, with a hidden foot pedal to increase or decrease the
> flow.  Add in a standard blower or bellows, and you might have something
> that would look almost like a real coal forge, but without the smoke and
> smell.
>
> The only reason I mention this is because I was doing a demo at a fair one
> time, and the wind shifted as I was getting my fire going, and it wound up
> all over the food vendors.  They got a bit irate, and that started me
> thinking about something that would look and act like a coal forge, but
not
> irritate the neighbors.
>
> If I ever get enough time, I'm going to try it on one of my portables.
>
> Murf
>
>

I don't think lava rock will work. BBQ "pumice" is basaltic with a melting
point around 2,000f. The more silicious pumices melt only slightly hotter
though they ooze like bread dough instead of flow like warm syrup.

I'm pretty sure ceramics are necessary. I know my propane forge hits 2,700f
+ with no problem and though I haven't tossed a piece of lava in it I'm
pretty sure it'll melt lava more easily than it melts steel.

Still I think I'll tinker around with the idea, I have an old Johnson forge
I don't use. Wonder what I can use for the chips. . . Hmmmmm

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

Meadow Lakes, AK.