Re [TheForge] Oil fired forge

[Jerry Frost]

Mike S. summed it up nicely.

Blacksmithing is very tactile and viscerial; cause and 
effect evident in millisecond bites. There's nothing 
like if for immediate satisfaction. (even, maybe 
especially, failures <Grin>

Casting is a whole different craft/art, kind of like 
baking. All the art is in the preparation with the act 
of casting itself pretty anti-climactic no matter how 
spectacular. Then you have to wait to see the results. 
It's a lot like getting christmas gifts 6 mos. early 
and having to wait to see what you get.

I'm interested in casting but I'm eclectic to the point 
of schizophrenia AND have ulterior motives. I want a 
power hammer and since the only recycling center within 
a couple hundred (maybe thousands of) miles stopped 
letting people buy I don't have a source for a 
powerhammer anvil. I'll have to cast it myself.

I don't know about you guys but the just thought of 
handling a couple thousand pounds of molten iron is 
nearly orgasmic for me. <grin>

Anyway, outside of making and controlling REALLY hot 
fires there isn't that much overlap between casting and 
blacksmithing.

Looks like it's going to be a sunny day for a change, 
probably hit the mid 70's and I have a barn to clean 
and sheathing to hang on my shop. I'll be most PUNGENT 
by the end of the day. <wrinkled nose>

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

Meadow Lakes, AK.

http://www.artmetalradio.com/

From: "Michael" <michael.a.porter at comcast.net>


> If you guys are really set on playing with oil-fired 
> burners, the topic has
> been covered time and again on Castinghobby and 
> Hobbicast Yahoo newsgroups.
> Go and join, plunder their files, talk to whoever is 
> left with an interest,
> and find all the rest of the links you don't have 
> yet. You will also find
> some of the blue-flame oil burner guys who moved on 
> with their plans at:
> http://l.webring.com/hub?ring=hobbyfoundry
>
> I consider the complete lack of enthusiasm for 
> casting among blacksmiths to
> be one of life's minor mysteries. However, those who 
> wish to play with
> oil-fired forges are going to find that:
> (A) In order to live with the exhaust, they must burn 
> the fuel efficiently
> (B) The by product of clean burning high-carbon fuels 
> is great heat
> (C) Such heat requires furnace designs and refractory 
> materials
>
> Be not daunted by this, for a forge is naught but a 
> furnace turned on its
> side.
> Mikey
>