[TheForge] Carbon loss with gas forges

[Jerry Frost]

The same way you do it in any forge, keep an eye on the air fuel ratio. For 
a gasser simply adjust the ratio so there's a little pinkish tragon's breath 
exiting the door(s). If you have excessive scaling and can't adjust your 
burners you can toss a small piece of lump charcoal in to scavange any 
excess oxy. THEN either get serious about adjusting the burner you have or 
build one that adjusts properly. I'll be happy to help.

Excess oxy is what decarbonizes and scales steel and simply placing the 
stock too low or over working the blast will burn it in a solid fuel forge 
as well, maybe better.

I have zero problem welding in my propane forge but it's a really REALLY 
good idea to keep the door open because it produces more CO than if it were 
a true neutral burn. Regardless a gasser will produce noxious and toxic 
fumes same as a solid fuel forge but maybe moreso.

Frosty
-------------------------
If it ain't forged
It ain't real
wrought iron is
The Frostworks



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Matt Stevens" <Matt at stevens.net.nz>
To: "Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2010 10:30 PM
Subject: [TheForge] Carbon loss with gas forges


> Ben Barrett wrote:
> > ... or have it wrapped in charcoal so as not to lose the
>> carbon points?
>
> In researching forges to start as an hobby bladesmith, there seems a
> strong bias toward gas forges. The reasons seem fairly transparent,
> cleaner, easier to use, more productive, etc.
>
> My question relates to carbon loss in the steel when being heated, my
> understanding is that carbon burns off and is replenished naturally in a
> coal or charcoal forge. Assuming my understanding is correct, how do gas
> forge users compensate? Or is the carbon loss not significant enough for
> most smiths.
>
> Cheers
> Matt
>