[TheForge] Home made forge

[Jeffrey Polaski]

I'm happy I made mine, even though it was a lot of work... Actually, I'm
not even using the one I put the most work into.... Right now I'm using
a "brick pile" forge, which is just what it sounds like.

I have another forge almost completed, made from a swap meet air-pig,
ceramic blanket, colloidal silica (to stabilize the fibers), and a coat
of ITC-100. 

I haven't fired it up yet, as I want to sand off the paint on the
outside of the air pig first. (I don't know what I was thinking, I
should have done that first). Oh, and complete one more burner for it...
I'm using simple 3/4" Reil-style burners, so they are simple to make.

As for the fuel, yes, MAPP or O/A are far more expensive than natural
gas or propane. Also, the tanks, while not dangerous, add a bit of risk
if there is a leak or accident, and you really should have a truck to
transport them. 

If you just want to get to making stuff, and don't mind spending the
money, they buying a forge. I've heard it's a good way to go. If you
want to tinker a bit, or have more money than time, building one is the
way to go. 

I think my next project will be a recuperative forge, based on the
Sandia plans. It'll be modified a bit, as I have some stainless steel
flex tube (from a jet engine) that'll become part of the heat
exchangers. Also, I'd like to make the forge little bigger so I can cram
in a couple of fire bricks, maybe some ramable refractory, so I don't
have to worry about flux eating away at the insulation.


Jeff Polaski
RGS Webmaster
(949) 824-6363

"The cow is of the bovine ilk;
One end is moo, the other, milk" 
			-Ogden Nash

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of David Wills
Sent: Friday, July 15, 2005 3:02 PM
To: theforge at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [TheForge] Home made forge


Folks,
I'm new to smithing and don't yet have a forge.  I wonder if it's really
worth it to make one, since they're available ready to hook up and burn
in for around 200 dollars or so for a small one.  Ideas?
 
Also, people use natural gas and propane, seems like, for forges:  why
not MAPP gas or oxyacetylene?  Both burn hotter--is it just for the
expense of the fuel?
 
Thanks.
David Wills

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