Begining of a Journey

Robert Hankins

Robert Hankins

Joined
May 19, 2003
Messages
1,848
Well I finally took the time to start making my forge. For sure this is going to suck me deeper into the knife making abyss. Also is a great excuse to go out and get new toys---er um neccessary tools (To my wife):D

forge.jpg


Anybody who cares to add some pearls of wisdom on construction please feel free! I am using Reils page for ideas and lining it with Koa wool and ITC.
All I lack is a good quality pressure regulator and gauge. Plan on paying a visit to OL Bruce Evans in the not too distant future. Get some hands on training from a now "Journeyman Smith" ---- very glad for you Bruce you deserve it.
 
Just had my second interview today for a real job:( knifemaking just doesn't pay the bills.
HOWEVER---This will give me more money to spend on knifemaking which in turn will get me more in debt , so I can make more knives and then buy more stuff to make knives...Do we see a pattern emerging;)
Of course I will continue to make knives:D
It is all Talent first and Marketing second...
 
Blinker,
Like I told my wife. If we win the big Power Ball lottery, I plan to make knives till we run out of money. :)
 
Kit, then you could do it for a hobby and just give those fancy knives away. I almost snorted my coffee when I read your post.
 
Something tells me Kit aint kiddin. If he wins the lottery, I see him spending all his time huntin, shootin and fishin. Of course, I would probably do the same thing. :)
 
Blinker you mite do a search for Jay Hayes
he`ll have what you need. I don`t have his
web page anymore, an thats all it is a page
 
The advice is appreciated!
Just need to know some of the pitfalls on building this little monster. Maybe some MODs that make it work better Etc.
 
That I can`t help you with. But between
Reils page an the guys here you should
have all the info you need.. Good luck
Bubba
 
Quick:eek: Run away:eek: Throw it away:eek: Or you will get HOOKED:cool:

Just kidding...Get the burner set up in that baby and come visit anytime you want ,Just start beating on steel and have a blast.
Bruce
 
You aint gonna like these words of wisdom, Blinker, but here goes anyway: Stop what you are doing on the forge-bulding and just buy yourself a decent Forgemaster or Mankle forge. You'll get all the good heat and 90% less problems. Better than anything will be all the time you saved and now can spend it on making great blades!

I use a Forgemaster Blacksmith myself, and it's a dream machine.

Sorry if I made anyone mad at my bold statements, but as a pro blacksmith I just don't have time to waste farting around with stuff just to save a buck or too. My motto is you pay for it on one end or the other.
 
Do you buy all your tools jhiggins? I think a lot of makers enjoy building their own tools. I have seen firsthand a lot of homemade forges that cost $0 that work as good or better than commercial forges. I could buy one now, but making my own is half the fun for the eternal tinkerer. my jm2c

Mark
 
I also believe in getting good equipment and if I could afford a good forge I would have one already.
I do enjoy making equipment but the truth be told would rather buy it when I can.
Anybody care to contribute $500-600 for a professional forge fund;)
 
Gouge, I do buy most of my tools. Tongs and such I make myself because it's just a more personal thing, but I get so busy I hate wasting time building and tinkering with stuff that could just be purchased and let some other company benefit. I lament the days I spent fussing around with old machines, trying to save a few bucks fixing them up and getting nowhere really. Better i should have spent that time at a second job making bucks to buy decent equipment!

I have been known to scrounge up all the old crap I could find and make a run to the flea market on a sunday just to scrape up some money to get a new buffer, or a new supply of belts, or maybe some steel. I miss not having the time to fiddle with things now, but I respect those that do. Maybe I was out of line in what I said.

Hey Blink, sorry to hijack your thread, bro.
 
There's very little that's out of line around this place:D I guess if time=money,then the buy it now option is always the best way to go. I've worked on a few projects that have caused a lot of my hair to migrate from my scalp. It is mighty satisfying when it turns out good though. I like the homemade approach mainly because a lot of innovation comes from the guys in the garage. And welcome to the forums by the way. I forgot my manners, like I have any:rolleyes:

Mark
 
Anyway, I'm going to try a little experiment with building a forge. I'm going to try to use the feather rock for my forge liner with a coating of furnace cement on the inside for durability. If it works I plan to coat the inside with the ITC for the heat reflectivity. I'll post the results. This stuff is the lava looking stuff that people make fountains a such out of. I guess if you dont beat it up too bad poking stuff in and out of the forge it should work pretty good.

Mark
 
I hear ya, Mark. The only fiddling around I will be doing with anything like that will be salt baths and maybe to build an air hammer... the $7500 smackers for a Bullhammer is pretty steep. BUT I WANT ONE SO BADLY! Argh! *grin*
 
FWIW,

I just happen to have my new, custom built forge shell sitting in my office. Ready for the week-end to get lined.

It's 8 1/2" diameter, 18" long. with legs and 2 ports for burners. A friend at work welded it up for me.

I also have a Reil-esque side arm burner up and running.

The plan is 2" of wool, 2600 degree insulation brick for a bottom, and a coating of stuff I got from Vagnino.

Blinker, if you're interested I'll post the results.

Steve
 
Steve,
Would love to see your results, sorry I let this thread die.
Debating ----I have some Koawool but couldn't figure out from Reils page how to stick it to the inside of the forge...
What do I use to coat it Sanite??? Where do I get some?
Hayes lists ITC-100 maybe I missed the rest of the stuff.

I am thinking it would be easier to use some refractory cement I have (3200 deg) and line it with soft Firebrick, coat it and mortar it with the refractory cement. Use a Kiln shelf or a piece of stainless for the bottom shelf and be done with it. Maybe coat the inside with ITC-100 for heat reflection.

Your thoughts and advice are greatly appreciated on this matter.
 
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