Atlas Mini Forge Question

L

Lettered Churl

Joined
Feb 20, 2012
Messages
33
I have been lurking here for about six months, trying to soak up all the information I can. So, I'd like to start with a general thank you to the forum for all the information y'all have made available and to many of the posters for beating me to the gate and posting topics before I get the chance to ask the questions myself.

Now, on to the substance. I have recently finished my first knife from some donated leaf spring steel using a brake drum coal forge my buddy and I built. (I'll post up picks of that first attempt before long.) I have a blank cut out for a knife I am going to make and present to my father, but will not have time to get out to my buddy's place to use that forge. So, I am in the market for a forge. Space, portability, and safety are of primary concern, as is not angering my landlord by having an open coal forge in the postage stamp they call my back yard.

I saw the Atlas Mini Forge, made by zaph1 of this forum, and think it would suit my needs well. What I would like are impressions from people who have used the mini forge. I am also interested in 1) user life of the forge, before refurbishing needs to be done, 2) Heating times for the forge, I have 1/4" 5160, 3) general durability, 4) fuel efficiency.

I appreciate in advance any help that y'all may be able to provide.

Tim
 
I'll gladly address your questions about the forge.

1. The parts that might need replacing in the future would be the bricks. It's pretty easy to cut and stuff new bricks, however they should last quite a while before you need to replace them. The chamber is coated with k26 mortar acting as a concrete sleeve that should hold up much better than the firebricks alone. If it chips, just mix and add some more mortar. Unless you forge as much as Sam Salvati, you probably won't have an issue with them.
2. Heating times seem to vary. We had a forging session of 4 hours and it seemed to take about 5 minutes between hammers. Closing off the back plate will help keep more heat in. Don't use it outside when it's real windy.
3. It's made from welded 1/4" wall square tubing, 5" 6.7# channel, and 1" x 2" channel for the legs. Overall, it weighs 30 lbs., of which the bricks weigh around 3 lbs. The support is made from 3/8" cold rolled steel with 2" channel.
4. It comes with a Magna Industries MT245C Mapp Pro torch. Very efficient, it can run about 3-4 hours on a 2 lb. bottle. It gives a 3" center about 3/8" wide and is the highest output torch I have found short of the weed burners.
torch.jpg
 
Awesome, thanks Zaph! I pulled the trigger yesterday on the order, and should have it by the end of the week. After I get a couple blades through I'll post up some pics of it in use.

For the addition of a thermocouple/pyrometer, would you suggest sliding the thermocouple in through the front or drilling a side hole for installation? I'd like to take some of the guess work out of my HT. Just don't trust my steel color/temperature judgement yet.

Thanks in advance.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top