[TheForge] Gas Forge Recommendation

[Gabriel Cain]

Keith,

My preference is to build my own; but that is because I feel I can do a 
better job for substantially less money.  On the other hand is the time 
investment.  It does take about 10 hours to do a good job of building 
one and tuning it.  If those ten hours are worth more than the cost of 
the forge to you, then buy one.

If you are interested in building one, I found Mike's book[1] very helpful.

My forge utilizes Satanite 3000 deg F cast refractory in a ~ 10" oxygen 
bottle segment.  It reaches white heat (but below welding heat) in 45 
minutes at 30 psi with a 3/4" burner.  I've ordered the piping to build 
the 1" burner, so hopefully I'll be able to get a little more heat at 
lower gas pressure.  We shall see.

I recommend building your own; it's a lot of fun.

Gabriel Cain
Dreaming Crow Forge
Seattle, WA

[1] Gas Burners for Forges, Furnaces & Kilns
  written by Michael Porter
  ISBN: 1879535203
  ~ $20.