Building a Forge

[Frank Eaton]

I am building my first forge, a small freon tank forge. I have got some Satanite to refine the interior shape, and ITC 100 to finish up. I am not sure of the application of each. I am guessing the Satanite is mixed like a mortar and applied the same???? The ITC is in a moist puddy state, I understand it should coat the interior. How do you mix, and whats a good technique to apply. Thanks

 

[anvilring]

everybody!! really! There's a lot to this. It can be done cheaply but you gotta plan some!

Start with these and go SLOWLY!! I've done a modified Reil venturi forge and I'll try and post some pics for you; it works so good I'd marry it were it to have a better figure.
You WILL need some 'Inswool" thermal blanket, and yes, ITC100 to coat it with along with satinite first of course to harden up the surface. There's lots to this that people here can help you with; shorten up the learning curve if you will...


regards, mitch

Here's some links to get you started; Ron Reil is a pioneer were there ever one...


http://www.reil1.net/Forge1.shtml

http://www.reil1.net/design.shtml

http://www.geocities.com/zoellerforge/sidearm.html

http://home.flash.net/~dwwilson/forge/forgeplans.html

 

[Matt Shade]

Go here as well:
www.elliscustomknifeworks.com

Don't mix your Satanite all at once. I mix it in a small cup a little at a time cuase its hard to get the right consistency right off the bat. Much easier to add a little water, add a little mortar till you got it, and then just keep adding to the mix when you need more.

I modified Ron Reil's venturi burner plan so that its a little easier to build (doesn't require forging a flare)

This will burn in open air on hardly any pressure. The gauge on my regulator doesn't register anything under 1psi, the burner will run on that easily. I have added a blower (shop vac) to it since I built the forge but that is mainly because my forge isn't sheltered from the wind very well when I have the shop open and a strong breeze will effect the flame. It still burns, but not as well.

 

[Frank Eaton]

It is lined with Insowool, How do you mix and apply the ITC100?

 

[indian george]

It is lined with Insowool, How do you mix and apply the ITC100?

The way I do it is to measure the ID of the pipe with a string, cut out Inswool to the size. Mix ITC100 in a plastic container with a lid so you can shake it up then paint the Inswool with the ITC before installing it in the forge body.
I prefer a blower forge over a venturi.
http://indiangeorgesknives.com/building_a_forge.html
The above link is how I build them.

 

[Frank Eaton]

So it should be a thick milky consistency?

 

[indian george]

So it should be a thick milky consistency?

When you paint it on just make sure you get the brush filled from the bottom of the container. It settles really quick to the bottom.

 

[anvilring]

but what I did is to coat the inswool blanket WITH SATINITE FIRST and two good coats at that for strength. The ITC100 is a "refraction compound" only, from what I know. Doesn't add any rigidity, insulation, or strength to the forge's interior. Like I say; ask around. Thick milkshake is the consistency I used for the satinite, a little thiner for the ITC100. Also, I used some old small un-glazed floor tiles in the bottom so's to reduce deterioration due to flux; they're replaceable of course.

mitch

 

[peter ryt]

Edit- I was wrong

 

[peter ryt]

Another thing- vert or or horizontal- that will affect it a bit. another thing- venturi or blown? Oh yes, on application of the Itc-100, make it a creamy- think heavy whipping cream, and apply it in thin layers.

 

[indian george]

Itc- 100 offers protection from flux if you ever weld.

Wrong!!! Have you every tried doing that??
The only thing that I have found is to put fire bricks on top of the Inswool as a floor on the forge with kitty litter on the edges. I am talking about a horizontal forge.
Mitch has the right idea. The ITC will hardened the surface of the Inswool without the Satanite base coat.

 

[peter ryt]

Well, considering that I've only seen it inperson once, and could have misread or misinterpreted the info that I read, I guess it doesn't help for that. Whoops... have the mods ever thought of having a dog with its tail between its legs smilie?

As far as sure protection goes, I think that Ron addresses it on his sight
reil1.net

 

[Mr.Wrong]

Sorry to steal the thread but I have followed the instructions that IG has given And it works good, But I would like to know what type of stainless can I use for a tray to catch the flux. The reason being to make clean up a little easyer.

Thanks,

PJ

 

[indian george]

Sorry to steal the thread but I have followed the instructions that IG has given And it works good, But I would like to know what type of stainless can I use for a tray to catch the flux. The reason being to make clean up a little easier.

Thanks,

PJ

PJ: I do not use any SS in the forge. I just let it fall on the fire bricks and let it build up. I have never had the flux eat thru the bricks and my forge gets allot of usage. I have one forge just for welding and another for forging.