Baby's First Anvil!

Wow that really lays it out, thanks a ton. So with propane a propane forge I am going to need a burner no matter what right? Unless I make a very small forge using a torch correct?

It sure seems like a lot of people talk about how they build a forge over the weekend. Did they construct a burner from scratch? Have extra ones? Or get one at a local source?
 
You can make a really small forge that only uses a torch, but it will cost more in the long run to buy the torch sized bottles of propane. They cost about $3 around here, and its only about $15 to get a 20lb tank filled/exchanged. I'd say the torch sized forges would be ok for heat treating small blades but if you actually want to forge you will have to go with something with a bigger tank.

You can make a burner for $10-$15 out of plumbing parts. The one Peter showed you is a good one, and there are lots of other ones. If I get time I will try and put some plans together for the ones I just made for my new forge. You can get all the parts at Lowes. It does require a you to weld one peice on though, so some of the other plans may be better depending on what tools you have available.
You'll have to buy a regulator, but they aren't that expensive if you look around a litle bit or buy one online. All in all I'd say you should be able to make a really nice forge from scratch for under $150, and thats assuming you don't already have a lot of the parts.
 
Matt is right on the money about what he said- and I agree with him about the full size propane tanks aswell. They're cheaper and will keep you for several good weekends.

I made my own burner, and it wasn't overly hard. The tool you'll need is a drill, preferably a drill press (I was without, and it took a little while). You buy a pipe nipple, the reducer bell, the T that goes on the end, the plug, the welding tip, the propane hose, the pressure regulator/gauge, and the thin nipple. My set up cost me about $20 total for the burner parts (nipples, reducer, t, welding tip, and plug), $90 for the nice oxy-acetylene regulator, I forget how much for good propane line was(BE CAREFUL WITH THE MATERIALS!!!- propane eats through some types of tubing, and that is a VERY bad thing. Make sure that you get stuff meant specifically for propane). The Forge it'self cost about $100-130 with scrap metal for the body, borrowed arc welder, door hinge, kaowool, itc-100, and another $20 for the firebrick. It is entirely possible to do this over the course of a weekend.
 
I'll collect the non-technical parts this weekend/coming week and keep researching the regulator and burner. I honestly don't trust myself enough to put one together, like I said, my entire life has been walmart and kmart, I have no respectable skills concerning something that is this potentially dangerous.
 
Take a look at Darren Ellis's website http://www.elliscustomknifeworks.com/
he has all the info you need to build a forge, and all the materials too. You can buy complete burners, or parts kits with instructions.
If you're not comfortable with plumbing it all together, try and find a good welding/gas supplier. They will the have the fittings you need, and you might be able to get them to put it together for you so that all you have to do is mount it to your forge.
 
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