Forge material question

[alarmred]

I already have a coal forge and I'm looking at possibly making a propane forge. To that end, a buddy offered me some refractory bricks. These are either 70 or 80% alumina bricks and are refractory not the super light insulating bricks. Simple question is will these alumina bricks work well for a gas forge?

From my research, it seems like they will take longer to heat up, but will hold up to the temps of a forge well enough. Any reason not to use these?

Thanks guys
Adam

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

They could be used to make the chamber. They would need to be mortared together with satanite or a similar refractory cement. This would probably need a welded frame to support it made from angle iron. You would want the corner pieces of angle iron to extend down as long legs ( about 12" high). Then, the outside of the bricks would need a good 2" of refractory insulation ( Ins-wool). The whole thing should get a wrapped shell of thin sheet metal. The final product would look sort of like a HT oven with a gas burner installed.
I would suggest coating the inside with a coat of ITC-100.



That said, a much simpler forge could be built from a 10" pipe or other shell and the normal refractory insulation and coatings in most forge builds.

Take the bricks and use them to cover the top of a large shop cart. Then place your forge on that table. All hot things can be set down on the top with no worry.
Another idea is to cover the top of a large shop cart and use it as a welding table.