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- Nov 24, 1999
- Messages
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Well you got me convinced
Been thinking about adding a blower to the forge, might as well go to oil while I'm at it 
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First Full Day with the Waste Oil Forge
- Thread starter Will Leavitt
- Start date
Well you got me convinced
Been thinking about adding a blower to the forge, might as well go to oil while I'm at it 
Just some random statements that may be useful to anyone building one of these.
In a commercial waste oil heater, there is a ceramic "target" that the burner is aimed at. It gets glowing red. I don't know for a fact, but I would think that doing this would allow you to possibly add more fuel, as the glowing target would be an ignition point for any fuel that did not burn in the air, and was hitting the forge body.
Also, if you pull apart a commercial waste oil heater, there will be whole lot of nasty ash. That is all the heavy metals and everything else that was in the oil that did not burn. Obviously you want as much ventilation as possible with a waste oil burner.
If you want waste oil, talk to tractor dealers/repair shops, bus garages, kwik lubes, car dealerships, etc. Many of these places give the stuff away, and have to call someone when their tanks are full.
Nice job on the forge Will.
In a commercial waste oil heater, there is a ceramic "target" that the burner is aimed at. It gets glowing red. I don't know for a fact, but I would think that doing this would allow you to possibly add more fuel, as the glowing target would be an ignition point for any fuel that did not burn in the air, and was hitting the forge body.
Also, if you pull apart a commercial waste oil heater, there will be whole lot of nasty ash. That is all the heavy metals and everything else that was in the oil that did not burn. Obviously you want as much ventilation as possible with a waste oil burner.
If you want waste oil, talk to tractor dealers/repair shops, bus garages, kwik lubes, car dealerships, etc. Many of these places give the stuff away, and have to call someone when their tanks are full.
Nice job on the forge Will.
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2003
- Messages
- 220
Thanks to Will and every one else for all the great ideas. Now it's full speed ahead on a forge/heat treat oven I have been thinking about for some time. In my shop I have need to carbon restore and straighten many high carbon steel castings. As some of you may have found out the hard way electric oven elements tend to brake if the oven is used for carbon restoration or case hardening
I was in the process of building a gas fired oven but with everyones ideas it is turning into an oil fired oven. (being Scotch I like the cost savings over gas) I have now found a use for one of those old 20 lb gas cylinders it is going to be my oil resovour. I didn't like the idea of a plastic pail because of the possible fire hazard and in our winters I can heat the oil a bit to get it to run free
Thanks again every one
I was in the process of building a gas fired oven but with everyones ideas it is turning into an oil fired oven. (being Scotch I like the cost savings over gas) I have now found a use for one of those old 20 lb gas cylinders it is going to be my oil resovour. I didn't like the idea of a plastic pail because of the possible fire hazard and in our winters I can heat the oil a bit to get it to run freeThanks again every one
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2000
- Messages
- 1,255
Well you got me convinced
Ditto that.I have been wanting to build a vertical/blown welding forge too.
Great idea and thread :thumbup:
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
Moderator
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2004
- Messages
- 38,514
This thread has been interesting to follow. I may experiment with an oil injector this spring.
Some thoughts and observations:
Filtered vegetable oil should be easy to procure and process. Any restaurant will have cans of it laying around.For a new kitchen knife, they will probably save it in 5 gal. cans for you until you scream, "NO MORE!". This type of oil would seem to be the best for a oil forge burner.
Waste automotive and industrial oils are very easy to come by, but ,IMHO, should be avoided. The ingredients in many could create some potentially hazardous exhaust gasses, and by products. I would have to do some research on how much chlorinated material is required, but dioxin can be one of the by-products of these fuels burning.The heavy metals and lubricating compounds in many oils are obviously not a good idea to be breathing as vaporized dragons breath,either.
The key to maximizing the burn in an oil fired burner is obtaining the smallest droplet size prior to ignition, and assuring complete vaporization just prior to or at ignition. The use of a fuel oil pump and a fuel stream target are how this is usually done.
I will follow this thread, and keep up on your developments and results. Looks good so far. In a few years I will be building my new retirement (that word is a joke) home and shop. It will be in a semi-rural area, and an oil burning damascus forge could be an interesting idea.
Stacy
Some thoughts and observations:
Filtered vegetable oil should be easy to procure and process. Any restaurant will have cans of it laying around.For a new kitchen knife, they will probably save it in 5 gal. cans for you until you scream, "NO MORE!". This type of oil would seem to be the best for a oil forge burner.
Waste automotive and industrial oils are very easy to come by, but ,IMHO, should be avoided. The ingredients in many could create some potentially hazardous exhaust gasses, and by products. I would have to do some research on how much chlorinated material is required, but dioxin can be one of the by-products of these fuels burning.The heavy metals and lubricating compounds in many oils are obviously not a good idea to be breathing as vaporized dragons breath,either.
The key to maximizing the burn in an oil fired burner is obtaining the smallest droplet size prior to ignition, and assuring complete vaporization just prior to or at ignition. The use of a fuel oil pump and a fuel stream target are how this is usually done.
I will follow this thread, and keep up on your developments and results. Looks good so far. In a few years I will be building my new retirement (that word is a joke) home and shop. It will be in a semi-rural area, and an oil burning damascus forge could be an interesting idea.
Stacy
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2006
- Messages
- 3,816
Stacey. Your concerns are why I am working on a "Hybrid" propane/waste oil forge. I purchased an oil pump designed for a furnace and an atomizing tip used to spray the oil. It will have to be filtered well and probably heated a little to get it to floe properly. I don't think this will be a problem. I will be trying the WVO and getting some accounts set up. I will also be making my own Bio Diesel.