[TheForge] Gun Burners (AKA fan blown)

[Jerry Frost]

Chuck, Robert:

I'm surprised you can't get more than 2,200f from Rex 
burners. What size are they, how many are they and what 
is the volume are you heating?

I figure Robert's is around 2,714 cu/in which would 
take 7 or 8, 3/4" burners or 3-4, 1" burners. They'll 
actually heat more volume but the rule of thumb of: 
"one, 3/4" burner for every 350 cu/in." is pretty sure 
to melt steel if you let it.

My 1" "T" jet will melt steel if I turn it up too high, 
I don't see why a better burner wouldn't perform at 
least as well.

Maybe the issue is altitude, humidity or something I 
haven't run across?

The soak time is whatever it takes.

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

Meadow Lakes, AK.

http://www.artmetalradio.com/

From: "robert hensarling" <rhrocker at hilconet.com>


> Chuck, let us know about using Zirconia with your 
> T-Rex's.  I built a horizontal forge (12" x 24" w/3" 
> kaowool, satinite, IHT-100{i think I have that name 
> wrong} and bubble alumina on the floor (From Ellis 
> forge supplies).  I'm able to get to welding temp in 
> about 20-30 minutes, but it seems I leave the 
> damascus billets in for a really long time, up to one 
> hour for a not so big one (1" x 3" x 6").  I've 
> tweaked the Rex's as per instructions, but I must not 
> be doing it all right.  I have enough exhaust space I 
> think.  Anyway, I'm in the process of building a 
> blown vertical ala Fogg, and I'm hoping it'll make 
> the difference I need.  I do have a digital heat 
> sensor and the thermowell to keep it from melting, I 
> can't get above 2,200 according to it.
> Robert


> > From: "Chuck Robinson" <robi5515 at bellsouth.net>
> >
>
>> Hey Mikey,
>> I'm using 4 propane forges and a propane fired salt 
>> heat treating furnace.
>> #1 is a blown vertical birdcage forge that is used 
>> for knifemaking and forging Damascus.
>>
>> #2 is a 30" x 16" blown horizontal pipe forge with a 
>> Mizou cast floor  and inswool shell lined with 
>> satenite. This is the forge with the ribbon burner.
>> It is used to weld large powder Damascus billets 
>> and heat other large billets for making hammers etc.
>>
>> #3 is a stainless horizontal forge with arched 
>> ceiling about 1/2 the size of #2.
>> It has 3 "T" Rex atmospheric burners and a castolite 
>> cast floor. I built it to test out and tweak 
>> atmospheric burners. Use it occasionally for lower 
>> temp multiple forging ops.
>>
>> #4 is  a S/S 1/2 beer keg sawed in half at the 
>> middle, and completely lined with castolite.
>> one end has a 6" square hole in it and the other end 
>> has a3' round hole in it for a "T" Rex foundry 
>> atmospheric burner.
>> It is used exclusively for heat treating the 
>> adjustable blade anvils I make for the blade makers.
>>
>> I've been pretty disappointed with atmospheric 
>> burners for the higher heat ranges I often need. So 
>> I only use them for temperatures 2200F or cooler.
>> I still plan to try to coat my forges with the 
>> Zirconia solution you recommended.
>> How should I apply it over the satenite?
>> can it just be sprayed as a final coat?
>> I've been using an optical pyrometer to test the 
>> forges and still haven't gotten the atmospheric 
>> burners to exceed 2350F. I'll test them with the 
>> Zirconia coating to see the improvement.
>> Chuck
>>