Making a new forge

[A.McPherson]

Hi there guys! So I've been thinking of building a new forge for a while. I'm going to make a blown propane forge, and I have a big piece of pipe what got from a bridge conduction site.
It's 36" x 12" and nearly 1/4" thick.
Any suggestions on what features to build in and what style too.
I've been leaning towards a pid & electronicly controlled valves, and a muffle, but I'm also thinking of moving towards forging. Would it be worth the effort to make a vertical forge instead?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

You may want to cut the pipe in half and use an 18" and a 14" section. That way you can make a standard 18" forge for most all work, and at a later date make a 14" high vertical forge.

A muffle is usually not a permanent feature, and is removed when forging.

PID control is a really nice feature. You won't regret it.

With an 18"X12" shell, you should use 2" of insulation. That will give you roughly a 14"X7" chamber, which is plenty big enough for a 2-3" muffle and for forging.

 

[A.McPherson]

good idea! I had planned on cutting it, but I hadn't quite figured out what to do with the other bits...
I've got a PID a thermocouple and a cerramic sheath for it already, any recommendations for the valves? other than normally closed I mean... brands, features, that kind of thing?
I might make this into a WIP if people are interested. I'm not the most skilled fabricator in the world, but I might help people learn from my mistakes! lol!

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

1/4" Red Hat valves....and make sure they are rated for Propane/natural gas/fuel gas.
Ones rated "gas" or Fuel oil" are not right.
IIRC, the sticky I put up on PID control gives some model numbers.

 

[A.McPherson]

Awesome! As always Stacy, your help is always appreciated!