Forge questions (Yes, I did a search :))

[Trick]

I have been researching some. Did a search but can't really find what I am looking for. Or, more than likely, not choosing the right keywords. Burner design, size, everything is still up in the air. I am at the very beginning of this task. All I know is I want a forge that is bad a$$ and economical to run. I am sure I am asking for a little much.

My buddy is a welder at a place that makes stainless steel tanks for different applications (semi milk hauling trailer for example) He said he would tig weld me a forge box or two together what ever size I want, how ever thick stainless I want. But he said for me to hurry because he may be getting a different job. He can get 8" and 10" stainless pipe, but they frown on that. Scrap flat (big scrap) stainless he can use all he wants for free and they don't care.

I have another buddy that has tons of firebrick he said I could have. Haven't got it yet and should probably have it first. He probably has other goodies I could use. He is retired from a foundry.

So step one is getting some boxes made. The rest of the design and build can come later, if possible.

What diminsions would be good to give my welder buddy so he could start on a couple boxes? I like big knives. If I wanted to do swords I would just make a removeable section on the back door. One forge for forging and one for welding is what I am thinking.

Should I use kaowool or something on top of the firebrick? Should the forge for welding be deeper so I could put kitty liter on top of the firebrick? (Of course I don't know what size the fire brick is)

I am posting this on two different forums so I can get different ideas.
Thanks!
Ric

 

[ardenwoodforge]

Trick,

You want to buy the book: "Gas Burners for forges, furnaces & kilins" by Michael Porter. It should give you all the info you need on naturally asperated gas jet ejector forge burners and such. (Hooking up a forced air system is an easy step up once you master the basics)

As to what size fire box you should make is up to you. You can have one made out of a single fire brick with a hole drilled in it and a torch for a burner like Wane Gddards "One brick forge" form his book:"The 50 knife shop". Or you can make a one you can park a small car in, like I saw in a photo of an industrial forge works.

The key is the ratio of burner output to fire box volume. The bigger the box the more output you burner assembly needs.

As to forge welding in a gas burner, if you have the burner to box size ratio correct AND you have the proper air/fuel mixture running (You want a reducing flame) you can forge and weld in the same unit.

Your idea of having multiple stand alone units that can be connected together to create a long box forge is a good one.

I myself am a solid fuel burner,(coal and charcoal) but I have constructed a few gas forges in my early days of smithing.

Hope some of this helps.

 

[Mark Williams]

Do yourself a big favor and just buy one of Rex Price's T-Rex burners. They are great burners if you dont want to hassle with a blower. And they do get up to welding heat. I use a little homemade freon tank forge and I forge at less than 1 psi.