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I am considering changing from a coal fired forge to propane setup. I have the blue prints for the burner. I was wondering if there are any draw backs to propane? Also looking for some forge design ideas.
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Coal versus Propane
- Thread starter Txcorruptor
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Do a search. This is covered ad nauseam. There is a thread running now actually.
In short though, no there is no drawback. Only benefits from switching to propane. Build your own, and go blown, venturi is a headache and inefficient.
Cheers!
In short though, no there is no drawback. Only benefits from switching to propane. Build your own, and go blown, venturi is a headache and inefficient.
Cheers!
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There are a couple of drawbacks. One, it's difficult to get a spot welding heat. This is more of a problem when forge welding blacksmith type items, but you may encounter that with blades from time to time. Also, I prefer welding cable blades with unwelded cable handles in a coal forge. The handle comes out less crusty that way; the heat can be localized to the blade.
I also like the romance of a coal forge. Does that pay the bills? No, but hey, there are easier ways to pay the bills than knifemaking and blacksmithing, too.
I like venturi forges just fine. They are simple and cheap to build and not at all inefficient if constructed to a refined plan. Your friend there (and in any gas forge) is sufficient insulation. That said, my vertical blown forge gets used more often.
What burner plans do you have BTW?
I also like the romance of a coal forge. Does that pay the bills? No, but hey, there are easier ways to pay the bills than knifemaking and blacksmithing, too.
I like venturi forges just fine. They are simple and cheap to build and not at all inefficient if constructed to a refined plan. Your friend there (and in any gas forge) is sufficient insulation. That said, my vertical blown forge gets used more often.
What burner plans do you have BTW?
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
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As said, propane has major advantages in many ways....but coal has its special place in most smiths hearts.
For those who like the localized heating of coal, I have seen a pretty neat setup that simulate a coal forge... and run on propane. It was basically a simple pan forge with a blown burner mounted under the tuyere. The "coal" was a ceramic media or silicon carbide chunks ( not sure which). It was heated red hot by the flames and worked just like the "hot hole" in a coal forge.
Supposedly it works great for localized heating, welding,and similar tasks. IIRC, it ran up to 2800°F. It provided the spot heating and nostalgia of a coal forge with the simplicity and cleanness of propane.
I found what it was I saw:
http://flamefast.co.uk/heat-treatment-equipment/ds430a-ceramic-chip-forge/
Of course, the solution to all these problems is:
http://www.inductoheat.com/induction-forge-heating-equipment.php
For those who like the localized heating of coal, I have seen a pretty neat setup that simulate a coal forge... and run on propane. It was basically a simple pan forge with a blown burner mounted under the tuyere. The "coal" was a ceramic media or silicon carbide chunks ( not sure which). It was heated red hot by the flames and worked just like the "hot hole" in a coal forge.
Supposedly it works great for localized heating, welding,and similar tasks. IIRC, it ran up to 2800°F. It provided the spot heating and nostalgia of a coal forge with the simplicity and cleanness of propane.
I found what it was I saw:
http://flamefast.co.uk/heat-treatment-equipment/ds430a-ceramic-chip-forge/
Of course, the solution to all these problems is:
http://www.inductoheat.com/induction-forge-heating-equipment.php