Lining a forge

[Valdezrl]

I am in process of building a forge out of an empty 5 gallon air tank and understand the ceramic blanket will hold by just stuffing it tight against the interior. What I cannot figure out is the best way to install the lining at the rear of the forge as I did not cut off the rear end, just left a small window to pass through items. I have a front door with a small hole as well in an effort to retain as much heat as possible. Should I just use screws with washers, or some other ideas out there to get the ceramic blanket to hold to the ends of the forge?

Thanks

 

[Will52100]

Basically lay the cut end of your forge shell on a piece of ceramic wool and use a sharp knife or razor to cut close around the outside of the tank. Stuff the cut piece into rear of the forge body, cut out the window. It'll compress enough to go in even though you cut it to the OD of the forge body. Measure and cut wool for the lining and put it in place, make sure to take into account the thickness of the piece in the back, the main lining will hold the end in place as well. Do the same for the from door. If your worried about the wool drooping over time or coming loose, just use a little Satinite to "glue" the ceramic wool in place. For the door I might would weld a few small tabs to help hold the lining in, but they will erode from heat pretty quick. What I finally settled on for a horizontal forge is a set of flat bar brackets so that I can stack hard fire brick front and rear to make the opening as large or small as I need, and when the bricks crack or crumble they are cheap and easy enough to replace.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Many people who use a large tank to make a forge cut the tank in half around the front and put on a hinge. This allows the forge to be opened and the lining installed. The lining for the front is done last, and the forge is closed to seal the linings together. A tack weld or a hasp is used to keep it shut until it needs a re-lining someday ... when it is opened up again and re-lined.