[TheForge] Gas Forge Plans

[Bruce Freeman]

Larry,

Although not an expert in gas forges, I've been involved with them since 1997 when I first saw them at CanIron I.  Since then I've helped construct a few dozen (mostly at two workshops, hence of similar design).  With that as qualifications...

I really like your design.   I note that you used the kaowool properly - making two separate layers of 1" wool, abutted at the bottom.  Using the 2" stuff works, too.  One concern it that you don't seem to have supported the brick at the floor of the forge on anything but the kaowool.  I'd suggest cutting at least four holes through the blanket under the brick, and using something there (pieces of firebrick or castable refractory) to support the weight of the brick and any steel on top of it.  (I don't KNOW that this matters, but I strongly suspect it does.)

The biggest drawback I see in your design is just FINDING that d****d metal 5-gallon can.  Everything's plastic these days.  Rolling a shell is one solution, and not hard to do.

Your burner is simple and apparently has all the advantages of the Bienstock Burner (http://www.frontiernet.net/~gnreil/close.jpg).  You state that you assume that the pipe fittings are accurately cast and tapped.  I shouldn't have to remind you about what happens when you ASS-U-ME!  But it shouldn't be too difficult to check that things are aligned, and possibly to make corrections if they are not.

I didn't read every word you wrote, so I may have overlooked something.  If so, I apologize.

Thanks for your contribution.

Bruce
NJ



>>> "Larry Zoeller" <zman59 at earthlink.net> 12/28/2005 9:36:23 PM >>>

To All,
I just posted some online plans to build an atmospheric gas forge,that it
is a really easy to build forge.  I would really appreciate it if you could
look at the plans and tell me what you think.  I would welcome any feedback
about them.  The URL is
http://www.geocities.com/zoellerforge/simplegasforge.html 

Thanks in advance,
Larry Zoeller
4312 Lahnna Dr.
Louisville, KY 40216
zman59 at earthlink.net 
http://www.geocities.com/zoellerforge/ 

_______________________________________________
Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge 
theforge mail list group photo site is
http://www.photoaccess.com 
Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com 
password:  anvil
___________