I finally went Vertical!

Laredo7mm

Laredo7mm

Joined
Jul 8, 2002
Messages
1,240
Hey All, I finally built a vertical forge last saturday. I was able to build it with bits and pieces I already had around the shop. I gues being a pack rat finally paid off.

It is pretty big. about 11 x 22 oval and about 23 inches high. The inside dimentions of the forge chamber is about 5 x 14 oval and about 11 inches high. I put about 3 inches of kitty litter in the bottom to catch the flux and all the rest was insultaed with ceramic fiber blanket.

I was really suprised at how fast she heats up! From nothing to cherry red in about 5 minutes. I have 7 SS rods running throught the firing chamber to act as a grate to set my billet on.

The best thing is that eventhough it is bigger than my old stacked fire brick forge, it takes about 25% less psi to reach and sustain welding temperature. I can run at about 10 psi now as opposed to 13 psi.

Now i just need some ITC to protect that wool.
 
Gonna supply some pics for those of us with no imagination? :D
 
Oh I suppose.;) Like most of my stuff, it ain't pretty but it works good.

While I was taking that picture, I decided to take some more of my shop, it is even messier now than before. Check out my website to see the other pics if you are interested.

vertforge.jpg
 
Cool, Sean! That is a big beast. Though it'll cost a tiny bit extra for heating the large interior, there will at least be no more situations when the forge is too small. I hate that.

The only thing I wonder about is how you determined where to put the door versus the burner?? Not critical, just curious. Most of the verticals I have seen have the door a little higher up. This just made me start wondering if there is a design optimum?

I like yer shop, too. Functional, messy, and just right!! :)
 
Hey Fitz, I think that picture makes the burner position look higher than it is. The burner hole is about 3 inches from the bottom of the sheet metal and comes in right above the layer of kitty litter.

The Hole for the forge door is about 12 inches from the bottom of the forge. Here is a better pic:

vert1.jpg
 
Yep,Sean IS one cool dude! And, where is the dirt in the shop? Looks clean too me! Really nice web site, too, Sean!
 
Looks good Sean,

What made you decide on the oval shape? And how long will the stainless bars hold up do you think? That's about my only complaint about the vertical design is the lack of someplace to sit things.
 
I love my vertical.
I made it from a scrap propane tank.
I emptied it, Cut the top off, come up about 18 inches and cut the bottom off, lined the bottom and used to top (lined) as the cap.
I put in two doors front and read for long billets.
I like the rounded top and bottom . I get good circular flow with it.
I had a Zowada horizontal at one time and another style horizontal. Ill never go back.
 
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