Help with identification of a gas forge

P

peppen108

Joined
Apr 14, 2012
Messages
663


So I am upgrading my backyard forge but have been having trouble finding a good gas forge for knife making. Then this showed up well with in buget so I snatched it fast as a shark.

The only problem is al I know is that it looks the part. Can you guys fill me in. Maker? Model? Pros and cons? Hazards? Etc.
 


It's pretty heavy duty, not cast or anything but the forge part is about 60-70lbs (35kg). The welds are not industrial looking but has held up well.
 
It looks pretty robust. It is lined with firebricks, and has a bit of welding flux on then floor, so it probably gets good and hot.
A new coat of refractory inside wouldn't hurt, but otherwise it appears to be ready to go.
Certainly home built.

If the price is good, it looks like a good choice for your work.
 
Tnx Stacy. Just the typ of information I was looking for. The price was 1/3 of what I was planing to pay for a new and this one has the stand and tool rest so I'm well happy.
 
Will the refractory for fireplaces and wood burning stoves that you can buy at the lokal store do or should I spend the extra money and time and get the pro stuff sold by kiln repair company's?
 
Since it is a firebrick forge, it can run as-is.

I think you can use most any refractory if you want to give the chamber a coating. Fireplace or stove cement will work if satanite, castolite, or another refractory isn't available.

Just put a smooth coating over the bricks. About 6-8mm thick is all you need. Let it dry for several days and then fire on low for about 3 minutes. Shut off and let sit for a couple hours. Repeat the low firing for 5-10 minutes and let cool to room temp again. Relight the forge and start with low again, slowly increasing the heat over 30-40 minutes to high. That should cure the refractory.

Get a BBQ grill cover or heavy tarp to put over the forge when not in use. You don't want the bricks and refractory soaking up water and moisture from the rain.
 
The forge is just burning on one burner with a soft blue flame. Very silently. Sometimes it stops and sometime the flame goes up the burner and makes a fast pulsing sound. I've hade it running for 20 minute's. The hole thing just is not putting out any heat. My smal forge is screaming at a third of the amount of gas an hour.


What's the next step here? Disassemble and clean the nozzles? Feed it more preasure, it's currently on 3 bar 1.5kg/h (gasol).

Or maybe just adjust the burners?
 
I think I have identified the problem. The nozzles lets air through fine. But the regulator has to little preasure on the secondary side. I mean after the regulator. When i looked closer and in better light it said 30 mBar not 3.0 Bar. I will switch it to a 2.0 bar regulator tomorrow and se what a 650% increase in preasure will do. :D
 
Ok, at 2 bar this thing is a scary beast. Forging heat 3 minutes from cold start of the forge on a 10mm bar. Gets up to bright lemon yellow with 45 seconds at full open after that.
 
Full blast. 12 inch tongs is just out of the question. I say it's about 6 inches of solid dragons breath.

I so happy It was this easy to fix. The guy I bought it from had inherited it from his father who was a professional knife maker but had never seen it running.



Edit: Spelling (oops 😳 )
 
Last edited:
Thank you for correcting me Stacy. I'm dyslexic an English is my second language but I'm trying my best to not make an ass (donkey) out of my self.

Here is a video of the forge on full blast.


I'm going by the pro gas store tomorrow and I think I will pick up a regulator with various preasure (1-3 bar) and keep the simple in line ball valve on the forge.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Put a valve in the gas line and throttle it back as needed.

I really hope you aren't forging in 12" thongs. That is an image I can't get out of my mind.
These are thongs:
https://www.victoriassecret.com/pan...exy?cm_sp=&ProductID=262307&CatalogueType=OLS

These are tongs:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/242219...provement_tools&utm_custom1=_kenshoo_clickid_
Click to expand...

STACY! You sent me to the Victorias Secret Website! Well, here comes the Birds and the Bees talk :barf: I suppose lesson learned- Don't click on every link you see :D
 
Backyard,
At 16 I am sure you don't recognize the subject matter in the photo, so all is good.
Maybe by your second or third year in college you will want to email me and ask questions.
 
Hahaha! Thanks, I appreciate your generosity :p

Nice forge by the way, glad you are able to get it to work!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top