[TheForge] Image posting of Steve's Dedicated side forge

[Steve Bloom]

At 09:19 PM 9/6/2013, Dan Scheid"  wrote:

>you say you are using a 0.040 injector  did you drill it or use a 
>mig tip . if a mig tip what size  the 0.035 (should be
>close to the 0.04 as it's for 0.035 wire) or the 0.045 they don't 
>seem to make a 0.40 mig tip.

Historically (some of my forges date back to 1991), I used a #60 wire 
drill bit (0.040" diameter) and a precision collet chuck (about $7 
from Harbor Freight if memory serves).  Since the tuning requires the 
gas jet to be down into the burner, I always make two prick punch 
marks on the gas pipe at the center and 180 degrees apart.  One gets 
a dab of paint or magic marker, the other gets drilled. When I see 
the paint, the jet isn't directed up into my face.  I've also made 
them with a mig tip (and there is no problem seeing where the gas 
will flow).  Taping the seat on a curved, relatively thin surface can 
be tricky but teflon tape makes an adequate seal.  The only draw back 
to the mig tip is either screwing it in after the gas pipe is 
inserted into the bell or a keyhole has to cut to allow the tip to 
slip through. Six of one, half a dozen of the other.  I haven't 
broken any #60 bits yet but cost-wise it's a wash.  When I used a 
0.040" on my hot salt bath forge, it ran a bit hot (1600 F at 3 psi 
with guttering possible).  I replaced the pipe with a #64 hole 
(equivalent to a 35 mig tip) and the unit ran at 1500 at 5 psi. 
Bottom line - do whatever is convenient and doable with the tools at 
hand and realize that the hole size can be manipulated to allow 
control.  Oh -- and it the 35 mig is too small, ream it with #60.

Steve