A question about gas forges...

S

SirMendor

Joined
Jun 21, 2009
Messages
31
I'm sure this has been discussed before but I gotta ask. If I were to make a new forge from a length of, say , 8in diameter pipe, could adobe replace refractory insulation?

Thanks,
Mike
 
you will use up so much propane to keep that thing hot. you can get a castable refractory that works great.
 
thanks for the reply. I just realized that the trade off would be weight. Considering that i'd need probably 1.5 inches of adobe to insulate the pipe. But if it works to get me working with large pieces of stock then I guess it would work.

~Mike
 
refractory cement is often referred to as 'castable' but it should be called 'ramable' because you have to ram it into the forms.

I can't answer your question about the adobe but for an 8" diameter pipe you could use 2' x 2' of 1.5" of ceramic wool which should cost less than $20.00. If you just want to get working with heat and steel, that is probably the easiest, cheapest and quickest solution.
 
Mike,

It takes a lot of heat energy to heat the mass of the inside of a cast in place forge. Such as adobe or castable firebrick.
The kaowool or like product has much less mass to heat than adobe or other casting materials.

By adding products such as ITC-100 to the surface of the inside insulation you improve the thermal efficiency of your forge.

What you want to shoot for is a forge that heats up quickly, holds the heat evenly and does not use a large volume of gas to do the job.

There are numerous tutorials on forge building on this site they I believe you will fine useful.

Good luck with your project, Fred
 
Thanks Fred.

I figured that some ceramic insulation would do the trick, just need to find some for a cheap price. But at least I can get me a good burner built and a regualtor for a good price. Just the propane tank that's fowling it all up. Too expensive. but my wife will keep her eyes out for a used one to trade in for a new one.

I'll keep you guys posted as it comse along.
 
SirMendor
No info in your profile, so there is no telling where you are. Many of us have a good bit of ceramic wool that we could give you, .....but don't know where you are.
Filling out your profile will help a lot.
Stacy
 
Sorry about that, really didn't plan on posting mucgh, I'm in Maine, a small town called Windham. PM me if anybody can send me any.

It's generosity that reminds me why I love the world of knives.

Oh yeah, I'll fix that profile and guys, call me Mike.
 
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