Hard Firebrick Propane Forge; What I've learned.

[69_knives]

This is a couple of observations I've had while using the firebrick propane forge.

Some of the things perhaps defy conventional wisdom, or maybe I just don't know what I'm looking at or talking about.

I've seen the pictures of the 'proper' and it's usually more yellow where my flame is more blue.

I've been told that I need a choke. I tried a choke and got the 'proper' yellow flame but I noticed a couple of things.

One; the forge got cold.

Two; I could smell carbon, like standing behind a jalopy car with a stuck choke.

Three; in order to forge under these conditions I had to turn the propane up to around 8 PSI.


Probably the most important thing to note is that when the firebrick forge is hot and glowing inside I only need to run a pressure of 3 PSI to keep it there and get the steel hot.

Yes, the nozzle does glow red for about 1", basically the part that's in the brick. I think I'm OK with having to change the nozzle once in a while if I can run the forge at 3 PSI instead of 8.

That's all for now.

 

[bjalongi]

You don't want the end of the burner to be in the brick. It's generally more efficient if the burner is 1/2-1" away from the hole on the side of the forge. This will give you a hotter flame and keep the pipe from getting too hot.

 

[69_knives]

Hmm, I will have to check that out next time I fire it up.

Edit; When I said 'in the brick' I didn't mean in the forge... the brick is 2 or 2.5" thick and I cut a notch out of it for the nozzle to enter at that point, it goes in about an inch into the brick, not the forge...

The nozzle getting red is a velocity issue, I flared the nozzle and that slowed down the flame speed which keeps the flame inside the nozzle. When I replace the nozzle I will not flare it and it should help keep the flame in the forge.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

69's forge is a brick stack forge ( not a one brick forge). It is made from a group of un-mortared hard firebricks that are stacked to make a forge chamber. It looks pretty good for a starter forge. See his other post.

I would suggest that you adjust the choke to get the right mix. It should not be a big yellow flame. It should be a neutral to just barely yellow lipped flame. It should not smell. On a venturi forge, the pressure is higher than a blown forge. 5-8PSI is about the right range for many venturi forges at full blast.

Keep up the good work and inquisitive thinking.
Stacy