Casting a forge liner

[TJ Smith]

I am trying to find the mix that someone used to cast a forge liner. Vermiculite was mixed in with the castable.I would appreciate any help.
Thanks TJ

 

[Michael Bennett]

Isn't castable sufficient? It has inherent refractory properties, I though.

Be careful with Vermiculite. NPR did a story awhile back about amounts (I'm not sure how much) of asbestos in the stuff being mined today.

Some have suggested that it's probably safe when imbedded in some other material, like castable, but it's better to be safe when working with it.

Mike

 

[Ed Caffrey]

I would recommend against mixing vermiculite with castable refractory. The vermiculite will absorb the water in the mix, and will take forever to cure. The product I use is called Shastacast 60. It's a 3000 degree, fine grained refractory that you mix like cement. Three inches is what I recommend for thickness. The draw back to castable is the length of time it takes to heat up your forge (45min-1 hr.), but once it's there, it holds the heat much better than ka-wool forges. Durability is what I like about the castable. My first castable forge lasted more than four years, with me forging nearly every day of the week. My current forge has been in operation for 2 1/2 years, and is still going strong.
I have two forges currently set up in the shop. The castable is used for welding, and a ka-wool forge is used for straight forging.

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Ed Caffrey "The Montana Bladesmith"
ABS Mastersmith
www.caffreyknives.com

 

[Pretender]

This is a link to a page I have seen on the subject. Uses Perlite instead of Vermiculite. Hope this is what you are looking for: http://people.ne.mediaone.net/wasser/NEMES/MakeICR.html

Dan

 

[L6steel]

Why are fire brick not used in forges much??

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Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!
http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!

 

[mikeS]

L-6, the main reason firebrick are not used is they are square.

Round forges swirl the fire better, it does make a difference, I have a little brick propane forge that I put together, cause thats what I had. It took 30 minutes to get really hot.



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Sola Fide

 

[TJ Smith]

Thanks Guys
I knew someone would have the answer.
I am using ka-wool now and wanted a cleaner setup> If it takes 45 min to heat up i might stay with the wool and put a fire brick in the bottom
Thanks Again
TJ