Making a dome "cover" for a ribbon burner forge - failed the first try

[HomeBru]

Since Eric Fleming showed his build of a ribbon burner table forge, http://www.bladeforums.com/threads/table-forge-with-ribbon-burner.934512/ I've had it in the back of my mind to build one myself.

Finally getting around to the build, I tried to make a half-cylinder cover for it like he did using kaowool and satanite as a rigidizer. Unfortunately, mine collapsed while I was trying to dry the outer shell so I'm back to square one. I build a form for the kaowool and did the inside of the half-cylinder, drying the kaowool with a heat lamp overnight. Got three coats and about 3/16" thick coating of satanite. I then carefully turned the kaowool out of the form using soft firebrick to support the top of the dome while I fired the forge for a while to bake it. When I started to paint the outside of the kaowool, everything came apart from the weight.

Has anyone made a half-cylinder or dome cover for a forge? Any suggestions for attempt number two? I was thinking of making a metal shell and lining it with kaowool, but not sure how well it would stick and stay in place. Fasteners won't work because they'd just conduct heat to the shell.

I'm open to any and all suggestions. FWIW, I really like the flame shape and concept of the ribbon burner and it was cranking well on 2psi propane.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Go slower, make more thin layers, let dry for days, not hours, build it thicker and heavier than you want.


Now, my plans for a dome forge in the near future will have a 1" thick cast dome made from Kast-o-lite 30. The mold will be easy to make from cardboard tubes. Once poured and cure for a week or two, it will be slow fired to cure it. Then the outside will be covered with a 2" thick inswool blanket, and a sheet metal shell. Once brought up to heat, this will make a superb forge for all sorts of work.

I'll cast the ribbon burner from the same type Kast-o-lite.

Anyone within driving distance Norfolk, VA who wants some Kast-o-lite #30 for free is welcome to a 55# bag, or two, or three. I still have nearly 2000 pounds of it in storage. These sell at $80 each from the suppliers.

 

[Gilbert M]

On my second forge also a ribbon burner I used a spray rigidizer it was so much easier than just applying the satanite to the wool like I did the first time. This time I used about a 3/8 inch layer of kast-o-lite then some itc 100 this weekend I had it up to 1480 in 4 or 5 minutes. For me the satanite cracks but that probably has a lot to do with how I had to move that forge around.
I laid the forge on it's side to apply the kast_o_lite
Gilbert

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Right below the post is a line with your name and EDIT HISTORY DELETE ........
Just click Edit to change and Delete to remove.

I took care of it for you.