Forge insulation question

blgoode

blgoode

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 3, 2003
Messages
7,260
Okay.....I have almost all my forge parts. Now....Do I use the firebrick thats in this old kiln that doesnt work or spend MORE money to get a refractory wool of some sort?

Your opinions please.



I hate that this large kiln is going unused and that the fire brick would be free since I paid for it already ;)
 
BRI: Are you making the forge out of the kiln??? Or just taking the bricks out??? Fire Bricks up here are $.99 a piece, I would just buy new one. You never can tell you may be able to repair the kiln one of these days. :D
 
IG - I'd take the bricks out and have to buy a new oven one of these days. I looked into remaking the kiln but it wasnt much cheaper than a new one thats why I was thinking of using what I have.....
 
The bricks in the kiln exist. If your not going to repair and use the kiln, harvest the brick. The soft brick are really easy to cut with just about anything.
 
I replaced the lining of both me coal forge and the gas forge with KP-80. This is a Castable Refractery compound that is aluminum based and does not get eaten by borax like most of the other stuff out there and has one of the highest refractory rating. I done research and tracked down a supplier close to me in Nashville and has proven to be excellent....over 2 years of use and is still just as good as the day I put it in.

The best thing is that you do not have to worry about mixing it with water or a spray on chemical. Just pound it in, shape it with a hammer, and fire up the forge...the heat is what hardenes it. When this hardens it is like concrete. Many of the companies smelting use this lining for industrial purposes. A 50 pound block (enough to do two forges[knifemakers and small coal burner from galvanized wash tub] cost @ 75 dollars...and well worth it....

I do not care for the kao wool because doing damascus....or whatever when you hit that stuff it tears or rips....Just my opinion.....

Daniel
 
DanielPrentice said:
I do not care for the kao wool because doing damascus....or whatever when you hit that stuff it tears or rips....Just my opinion.....
Click to expand...

Daniel, you shouldn't be using Ceramic fiber blankets without some kind of top-coat on them...they don't tear or rip then. What is the thermal conductivity at a mean temperature of say 2000 degrees F for the rammable refractory you mentioned?

-Darren
 
Thanks fellas. I'll get to it one of these days ;)
 
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