Forge build

[Dakota1212]

Hey guys I'm a noob and need some direction. I'm going to build a forge for knife making. My plan is to use either some 1/8 iron plate or a piece of 8" .188 wall pipe for the exterior. I plan on failing numerous times at making cable Damascus before getting it right but my question is kaowool or firebrick?? What will endure borax fluxing better or longer??

 

[adamlau]

Probably best answered in Shop Talk - BladeSmith Questions and Answers

 

[Dakota1212]

Thanks

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Welcome to shop talk. If you fill out your profile page you may get some help from a local maker in your area. It also lets us give better answers.

The stickys has a lot of forge info. You can also use the custom search engine ( in the stickys) to find the many forge build threads. Use the pipe and proper refractory/insulation and you will be good to go.

 

[Geoff Flato]

One thing to keep in mind is there are different sorts of firebrick. The hard ones for wood stoves at the hardware store provide minimal insulation, and are only good until 2300 degrees or so.
Insulating fire bricks (soft firebricks, furnace bricks, kiln bricks, ect) provide very good insulation and come in various grades. The ones I've got a pile of for example are good to 3500. These are quite a bit more expensive, and are what we (generally) mean when talking about bricks.

I'm not an expert on forge design, so I'll leave recommendations to those who are.
Wool is definitely easier though, and it's my understanding that the bricks are (at least somewhat) more resistant to flux.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

This is the Pid/Forge/Burner sticky:
http://www.bladeforums.com/threads/pid-control-forge-salt-pots-and-more.782574/


Also, High Temp Tools and Refractory has everything you need to build forges and burners ( including kits). Their FAQ pages answer a lot of questions. Even if you aren't planning on buying anything from them a look at their site will be helpful. Read the FAQ pages and look at the forge gallery.
www.hightemptools.com

 

[KnuckleDownKnives]

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith Not sure if you're aware, but there are a lot of broken links on the sticky now that we are on this new software.

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

For what you're wanting, 12" length of 8" pipe, 2 square feet of wool, 1 lb. of mortar and 12 ounces of kaolite, and a Graham 100k burner will make a decent welding forge.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith Not sure if you're aware, but there are a lot of broken links on the sticky now that we are on this new software.

Yes, I fixed a few just now, and will have to replace all the rest on a slow weekend. Anyone can foimd the missing stuff by using the custom serach engine and putting in the thread title

 

[Dakota1212]

Great, thanks guys

 

[Dakota1212]

For what you're wanting, 12" length of 8" pipe, 2 square feet of wool, 1 lb. of mortar and 12 ounces of kaolite, and a Graham 100k burner will make a decent welding forge.

Leave the pipe open on both ends or weld a cap?? What type of mortar??

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

This is the most basic forge from your available materials. I use Rutland 3000° refractory mortar to line the entire wool, and Kaolite-LI30 to build a 1/2" thick bottom that is flux resistant.