Forge question

[Canadian]

I have a homemade fire brick gas forge and I am wondering. Should I have a hole out the back or is it not needed?

 

[Cody Hofsommer]

Are you going to forge long pieces?

 

[JTknives]

Just putting this out there for consideration. I find that my forge runs better with 2 openings. I have a brick I can close it off with but when starting the forge I have both open. Also find if the forge is properly built it seams to heat much more even with 2 openings. Not to mention the fact that you can do longer blades. My burner enters the back at a tangent and angled twords the front. If I need a super hot spot I can turn the forge around and use the area right next to the burner.

 

[Jesse Smith]

I have a smaller opening in the back of my 22" forge, that I used to block with a brick. I quit blocking the opening because it seems to run more smoothly and with WAY less dragon's breath than with just the front opening.

 

[JTknives]

Yeah much less dragons breath. I run a blown forge and now get in the habbit of turning it off befor I pull the bar out. It's pid controlled so the pid controls the gas solonoide and blower. When I flip the switch the blower comes on and then a sec later the gas comes on.

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

Absolutely, yes. The exhaust port in the back isn't just for passing metal through. It does a great job of reducing turbulence, allowing a more complete combustion in the chamber and less dragon's breath. When doing so, you want the burner intake in the front aiming toward the back. There's a large contingent on here that believes in the back blowing front is the best way. I've built several forges both ways and front to back with a small exhaust has tested the best.

 

[JTknives]

If both openings are the same size you just turn your forge around and now it's front to back lol.

 

[Lieblad]

.....

 

[Jesse Smith]

I never thought about two guys working from both end. I was already planning to move my forge and the new location will have room to work from either end, but was only planning on working from the front. I might move my second anvil to the other side now, so shop guests can work on the other side. Thanks for the idea.