How to Build a Propane Fired Forge for Large Knives

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averageiowaguy

averageiowaguy

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When I started forging, the first real project I had was a big machete. The standard forge designs wouldn't let me heat the whole blade at once for quenching purposes. This is what I came up with and it has worked pretty well.

[video=youtube;LKLRW7Geg9E]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKLRW7Geg9E[/video]
 
That looks like a very simple nice forge.

One question for you though, in the video you were sugesting that the coating for the kaowool was unnessacary. I seem to remember that regular kaowool posed a pretty serious health hazard when exposed to direct heat from the fibers becoming airborne unless you coated it.

I did just build a larger forge (30") and plan on an extension to take it to 50" oal and used "body soulable blanket" and coated it anyways except for where the extension will attach.

As many folks that watch your (enjoyable) videos, you might want to see about health risks to not coating regular kaowool and edit that part of your video.
 
Joe Calton said:
That looks like a very simple nice forge.

One question for you though, in the video you were sugesting that the coating for the kaowool was unnessacary. I seem to remember that regular kaowool posed a pretty serious health hazard when exposed to direct heat from the fibers becoming airborne unless you coated it.

I did just build a larger forge (30") and plan on an extension to take it to 50" oal and used "body soulable blanket" and coated it anyways except for where the extension will attach.

As many folks that watch your (enjoyable) videos, you might want to see about health risks to not coating regular kaowool and edit that part of your video.
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Thanks a ton for the info. I will look into it. My forging has all been done outside in the open air so I haven't worried about it as much, but different people have different situations and sometimes I forget to thing about people who are doing things indoors.
 
So much bad information. Where to start. First, for actually forging a large blade you usually want to heat manageable sized sections. Heat treating is not a matter of heating to nonmagnetic, even eutechtoid steel needs to be heated to above nonmagnetic, the last thing you want when actually heat treating a blade is to put a hot spot right in the middle. Yes, sealing your kaowool is a REALLY good idea. I really hope that nobody actually builds this contraption. There are lots of good plans for forges available (and heat treating ovens) this is not one of them

-Page
 
I'm with Page on this. The design and info is not good.
As to working outside, it is just as bad to breath mineral wool fibers outside as it is to breath them inside.

As to forging and doing HT in a shorter forge. I do 36" katana and 24" wakizashi in a 16" forge. I work only about 4-5" at a time when forging, and when doing the HT I "pump" the blade in and out of the forge. This works well and when the entire blade is up to the target temp, I quench in a tall 6" steel tube of oil.

My suggestions would be a lined forge and a better burner with proper placement. Heavier gauge metal would last longer, too.
 
Also of note, is the 4" start collar w/ crimp and 6" T cover are galvanized, right? Zinc fumes are bad and galvanized material should be avoided on a forge. You can get 2700° refractory cement at Menards. It doesn't have the IR reflectivity value of ITC 100, but does make an adequate stabilizer to protect the kaowool from disintegrating. I coat all my forge bricks with it.


As for working on longer knives, I put a slot in the back of my forges to keep heat in but allow metal to pass through. You should come by my shop sometime and we'll make you an actual burner for your forges. It only takes about 10 minutes and will be much more efficient than the weed burner.
Forge1-300x156.jpg
 
I agree with the last few posts, Kyle. I saw your forge in the other videos and figured it was just a temporary set up to see if you would be interested in making knives. The design is not good and has many disadvantages... including health risks. I would seriously consider taking the video down. The good news is that we can help you make a proper one that will serve you and your subscribers better! PLUS, you can later change this video into a "What NOT to Do."..... just messing... but not really:p

Like teaching survival skills, there is a responsibility to be sure that the info you are passing on is correct... or at least, safe.

Welcome to the addiction, brother!
 
Rick Marchand said:
I agree with the last few posts, Kyle. I saw your forge in the other videos and figured it was just a temporary set up to see if you would be interested in making knives. The design is not good and has many disadvantages... including health risks. I would seriously consider taking the video down. The good news is that we can help you make a proper one that will serve you and your subscribers better! PLUS, you can later change this video into a "What NOT to Do."..... just messing... but not really:p

Like teaching survival skills, there is a responsibility to be sure that the info you are passing on is correct... or at least, safe.

Welcome to the addiction, brother!
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Thanks for the input. I built the forge with absolutely no experience in forge designs etc. It isn't perfect but it has so far worked well. I guess not knowing it wouldn't work has saved me thus far. :) I've put a bunch of disclaimers in to say there are a lot better ways to build a forge and that actual blacksmiths have brought up safety concerns. Like I said in the video I would like to buy a commercial forge at some point, but I have to build a garage first. Thanks again!
 
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Great Guys!
In thinking 9am Sunday. Charles and Graham bring the forge! I'll have coffee and donuts. I can't wait, looking forward to it. My address is 105 Lacona ave.
Chad Hitsman
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Where at in Iowa do you live? If your close to Des Moines, come by the get together on Sunday. Bring your forge and we'll see what we can do to make it safer.
 
averageiowaguy said:
Thanks for the input. I built the forge with absolutely no experience in forge designs etc. It isn't perfect but it has so far worked well. I guess not knowing it wouldn't work has saved me thus far. :) I've put a bunch of disclaimers in to say there are a lot better ways to build a forge and that actual blacksmiths have brought up safety concerns. Like I said in the video I would like to buy a commercial forge at some point, but I have to build a garage first. Thanks again!
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Please seriously consider taking your video down from Youtube, there are enough dangerously bad ideas up there without your contribution. You appear to have some solid content in other areas, I would hate to read about someone following your plans and getting seriously hurt

-Page
 
sunshadow said:
Please seriously consider taking your video down from Youtube, there are enough dangerously bad ideas up there without your contribution. You appear to have some solid content in other areas, I would hate to read about someone following your plans and getting seriously hurt

-Page
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I strongly agree with Page on this one... You very well may open yourself up to legal liability just by improper word choice EVEN IF you include 'disclaimers' with your videos. Fibrous materials along with offgassed compounds from the galvanized metal and the very real possibility you are blowing CO by choking that weed burner is a trifecta for lung damage.

Trust me, already stated this in one thread this week, reduced lung function sucks (pun intended) and can happen in one deep lungful of the wrong stuff...
 
The disclaimers you have added as annotations will never carry the same weight as the video itself.
Many will never even see them.
(I usually turn off the annotations immediately on starting a video.)



I was sad to see your lawmnower blades, although you were having fun, it's another whole wave of people that will start with lawnmower blades instead of real known good steel.
It's so difficult to fight that once it's started.



Seriously, removing them will only preserve the integrity of your other good content.
I really enjoy the cast iron cooking videos you have.
 
Alright, enough people have been troubled by the propane forge video that I am taking it down. You made some good points. People will have to look elsewhere if they want forge plans. It works for me but I see that it might not be a good idea for others.
 
Hey bud... don't let it be a negative experience. I am on forge number 10 and still learning new things. Don't just settle for "It works for me."... You can get better performance with some changes. I'll help you in any way I can. Let your subscribers learn WITH you!
 
WOW it's getting rare these days to find someone from youtube who dosent get all self-righteous and butthurt over being corrected over the interwebz, props to you friend! :thumbup:
ps please line your forge with something, kaowool's fibers break down and become airborne in an un-lined forge. Those little fiber particles can stick in the lining of your lungs and cause serious infections and can act like a miniature hypodermic needle for the rest of who-knows-what it is you're breathing. It's not a case of whether or not your design works, but one of your own safety
 
You're still welcome to come over and build one in my shop. I've got kaowool, refractory cement, about 500 insulating firebricks, welders, burners, everything you need to make a nice one.
 
Thanks for understanding where we were coming from. I am glad you took it down.
Unless anyone has some last thoughts to add, I'll close this thread later today.
 
SunsetFisherman said:
WOW it's getting rare these days to find someone from youtube who dosent get all self-righteous and butthurt over being corrected over the interwebz, props to you friend! :thumbup:
ps please line your forge with something, kaowool's fibers break down and become airborne in an un-lined forge. Those little fiber particles can stick in the lining of your lungs and cause serious infections and can act like a miniature hypodermic needle for the rest of who-knows-what it is you're breathing. It's not a case of whether or not your design works, but one of your own safety
Click to expand...

I'm here to learn. The guys who pointed out problems are who I am here to learn from. The youtube channel is something I do for fun, and I've never claimed to be an expert in anything except how I actually earn my living. If someone who really knows their stuff says I am putting unsafe information out there, I listen.
 
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