Beginner Forge Do's & Don't's

[Odin's Iron]

So I've recently began to build a forge using an old air compressor housing. I'm currently in-between on insulation products and could use some advice. I've read in several places that ceramic fiber is good, however sounds like there is a load of maintenance involved, alumina refractory, satanite, ITC 100, etc. I've also read about using sand and plaster of paris. Can someone lead me in the right direction here? I'm planning on using propane as my fuel source if that makes a difference.

 

[AlaskanHunter]

Go to the stickys. Mr. Apelt has assembled quite a collection of information on this topic. I think the one you are looking for is called "Sticky Thread- All The Good Info You Want In One Place". There should be a subsection devoted to propane forge building info.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Sand and plaster is not very good at all.

You didn't say what size tank you are using, but a tube around 8" by 16"makes a great forge (10X16" if using 2" wool.

You need at least 1" of Ins-wool ( 2" is better), covered with at least 1/4" of stanite. A final coat of ITC-100 will make then forge more efficient.

Post a sketch of your forge build plans for critique. It can save you a lot of problems.

 

[Odin's Iron]

Go to the stickys. Mr. Apelt has assembled quite a collection of information on this topic. I think the one you are looking for is called "Sticky Thread- All The Good Info You Want In One Place". There should be a subsection devoted to propane forge building info.

Thank you

 

[Odin's Iron]

Sand and plaster is not very good at all.

You didn't say what size tank you are using, but a tube around 8" by 16"makes a great forge (10X16" if using 2" wool.

You need at least 1" of Ins-wool ( 2" is better), covered with at least 1/4" of stanite. A final coat of ITC-100 will make then forge more efficient.

Post a sketch of your forge build plans for critique. It can save you a lot of problems.

 

[Odin's Iron]

 

[Odin's Iron]

Trying to figure out how to upload a picture

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

You have to host the photo in a site like imagur. The instructions are in the Stickys, or you will find lots of photo posting guides by using the Custom Search Engine ( also in the stickys).