Forge Dilemma

I

idahohiker

Joined
Apr 20, 2002
Messages
56
Hello All:

I am looking to get a forge. I'm stuck between building one or purchasing a commercial one. I have a couple of questions I'm hoping some of you can answer.

What is the ideal size of forge?
Are there any advantages of horizontal vs. vertical?
Why are most commercial forges rectangular and the ones to build are cylindrical? Are there advantages as to one over the other?
Are there any additional sites for plans other than Don Fogg's and Ron Reil's?

Any help will be greatly appreciated. And I'd need one to reach welding temps for Damascus. Will probably stick to mostly hunting style knives for a while. So won't need a huge one.


Thanks for the help!

Bob
 
first off gas or coal? you want space width wise and length wise vertical means nothing really build your own if you have the time its much cheaper there is a awesome link to building a forge but i cant find it right now if i do i will post it for you
 
Try this link... http://www.reil1.net/
I built a small one out of 6" X 12" pipe lined with 1" of insulation and refractory cement. Works great! Very economical to build and run. Runs on about 2 lbs. of pressure. However, if you're going to forge weld, you will need something with a different lining, a bit bigger and with a blower. Maybe a vertical style is more suitable for forge welding fluxes since the flux would fall to the bottom of the forge and I'm not sure, but I don't think that you would have to be too worried about insulation on the bottom of a vertical forge since heat rises. But what do I know, I'm just a rookie:rolleyes:

Rick
 
The vertical forge works best with the cannister powder damascus. A handle must be welded on everything because the work is suspended in the rising heat. There is no shelf inside for the work to sit on. I would like to have one of those too. Mine is a horizontal and does everything but the floor eventually gets etched away from flux after a few years. I figure a man needs about 3 forges. On another note, I hear there are legal conflicts against the Koa Wool makers because of airborne fibers and health problems. I would stay away from it. The castable refractory is more permanent anyway. There are light weight firebricks that work great also. Centaur Forge sells them and a light weight board (dont know the name of the stuff) that really works nice for the cieling of your forge.
 
If you want some plans for the round horizontal gas forge send ne an email and I will send you a set. I put off building one for years because I lacked confidence. Once I built one I realised it was easy.
However I take no responsibility for what you build. If you need acreditation from government autorities you can get it. On this style. I was not making mine for sale so I did not get it checked and stamped.

If you want to make damascus you will need a coating on the insulating wool to protect it.

reg_ellery@optusnet.com.au the space between reg and ellery is a _ not a blank space.

Please title the message request for forge plans. I got a virus the other week, I brought a anti virus program but I am still deleting any messages I am not sure of. With the title i will know it is ok.
 
Build a round forge. I have two NC Tool forges and if
I knew what I know now when I bought the last one I
would have built a Ron Reil style forge. Gib
 
I have sent the plans.
It took about 16 min to transmitt. Sorry about the size. If you have not recieved them or you cannot open the files let me know i may be able to adjust the format to your system. Or just send them as pics in an email rather than attached files.
 
Reg:

Thanks for mailing the forge plans. They will be very helpful. Looks like I'm gonna get some help and advice from Bruce Bump on the subject too. Thanks again for taking the time to hekp me out, I really appreciate it. Hope all goes well with my forge building adventure. I'll keep you posted as to when I get it done and how well I did.

Bob
 
Idahohiker, are you in Idaho? Ron Reil's designs for forges work very well. Contrary to what baumr said, no blowers needed I was welding in a Reil type Freon tank forge just a couple of hours ago. Refractory cement will work to keep the fibers out of the air (for the most part) but the ITC-1000 is the way to go, it costs a little more up front but I think it is well worth it.

Todd
 
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