Forge making questions

[Oldtools]

While doing my knife making reading I have decided to build a couple of forges to be ready by the time I'm done. I am making a small portable forge that will take the place of the famous 1 brick type forge. It will be made out of an old fire extinguisher that I picked up at the local dump.

My large forge is being made from a full sized oxygen tank (that unfortunately was still full) that I bought at the metal recyclers for $10.00 and had cut down to provide a 24 inch long forge for the really long stuff. ($10.00 cutting fee) I'm making Reil style burners for the larger forge and heating the small forge with a Bernzomatic JTH-7 torch.

I'm trying to decide how I want to enclose both of the forges. Doors, leave open, use fire brick, etc... That's the first question the second is, with a 24" forge how many burners should I use? I haven't found a quick and easy answer yet. Remember the inside will be 6" or less in diameter after adding the Inswool and fire brick.

To get the most crucial part for making burners I have to make a 35 mile trip (one way) to get the 1-1/2 x 3/4 inch coupler. I bought 2 yesterday at a cost of $6.47 a piece from a plumbing supply house. The rest of the parts I can get locally a little cheaper.

Any knowledge you can part with about forges would be glady accepted and much appreciated.

Keep em sharp.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

You need to check out Darren Ellis at http://forgegallery.elliscustomknifeworks.com/
He sells the burner kits and/or the parts only.
24" is a bit long for such a thin chamber,so you will need at least four burners to avoid hot spots. A larger diameter would be a better solution,especially if you decide to make damascus in the big forge.I would recommend 12" pipe for the shell,with 2" insulation, and four burners.As for the ends,Darren sells insulboard,which made great ends and doors.
Stacy

 

[John Frankl]

Check Don Fogg's site for a "Drum Forge." That will handle all your long heat treating needs, and uses only one small burner. Also check out his forge building tutorial, which will put your oxygen cylinder to good use.

John

 

[indian george]

I also have a forge building tutorial on my site.

 

[Reg ELLERY]

Forges are a beautiful thing there are so many designes and experts around that you may just want to bang your head on a rock.

My tip is have a look around at the ones listed and you will find they are all similar. I am not going to start an argument which is best my only comments are i have made the various versions of the ron reil forge since I first saw one
in 1992 or there abouts. It is such a basic design it is hard to go wrong.

I have made them 8 inch by 12 long up to 12 x 16 inch long. They all work some a little better than others. 10 diamiter x 16 with half full of cat litter and fire brick makes a good size billet of damascus for a back yarder line me.
The bigger ones take longer to get up to heat because of the volume. All I have made have only used 1 burner.

I like the burner 1/3 from the front facing in on an angle so that it is amed about the 1/2 way mark I also like the burner on an internal tanget to the linning. I use 1 x 1inch ceramic fiber wool. some like 2 layers.

I have the back end welded on and metal doors lined with ceramic fibre.

If you have not worked it out yet for the venturi a piece of broom handle inside the pipe lines it up well.

I don't use air blowers to many parts to break on a small forge that I use.
Also the venturi burners can be replaced with a burner with six holes infront of the gas jet.

One tip when you first go to light the forge make sure the protective wash coat inside is dry. Until that is dry it can be a pig to get them started. Once it is dry It should light first go.

Whats out for big flames that sometimes flas out the front when lighting. Yes I have no eyebrows from a mistake in the past.

I made a couple of short digital camera movies of me frightening myself lighting up good for a laugh.

Decide what you want and keep it as simple as you can. I can make a billet 18 to 22 inches in my 16 inch forge with out any problems longer if I wanted to be tricky end for ending. I can carry mine.
Well good luck