Mapp gas in a mini forge rather than propane?

K

Keithcellini

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Jan 9, 2008
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I built a mini coffee can forge using two large coffee cans and some homemade refractory that I made using furnace cement and perlite. The problem I had was it did not seem to get hot enough except where the torches were hitting the steel. I used two small propane bottles.

Originally I left the back closed and thought that maybe it was not getting enough air because the rear burner did not seem to get going so I cut open the back and it did help but I still could not get it hot enough.

Now one thing that I found out was that the refractory had not entirely dried, I knew this because I could see steam coming from the unit and it would transfer heat to the outside of the cans.

I let it dry and tried it today and it still does not get hot enough. My questions to the experts are;

1, do I have to let the forge run for a while to get up to temps and if so what is a reasonable time to wait.

2, Can I swittch to mapp gas to make it hotter.

3, will I be able to use the same torch that I have for the propane with Mapp.

The reality is that I will probably only need the forge for heat treating right now because I want to learn the stock removal method before I start forging my own steel. The ole lady is not thrilled about having a forge in the basement. I can't say that I blame her so I will have to wait till spring to take it in the garage. :)
 
Most torch's are not adequate for heating a forge. They through a lot of heat in a small area. Just not enough air fuel mix for heating a forge. Certain models of torches like ( I think ) Benzomatic t3000 will heat up a one or two brick forge, and a few torch's Like a propane weed burner will heat a larger area. Mapp gas will probably only make your small area of concentrated heat hotter.
More description of your torch your trying to use would help, and of coarse a picture is worth a thousand words.
 
Not knowing the type of refractory or torch you have makes it impossible to diagnose the problem. Sort of like calling up Pep Boys and telling the mechanic," My car won't start, what is wrong with it."
Some ideas to ponder:
Is the refractory a forge refractory like Insuwool and statanite? ( or a home brew like concrete and pearlite)
Is there a refractory coating ,like ITC-100?
Did you let the forge heat up long enough? (10 minutes or so)
Is the burner suitable?
Is the burner properly placed and angled?
Is the forge properly designed and built?
Stacy
 
Stacy, the refractory is perlite and furnace cement, the torches are the self igniting type from sears if that helps, I let it heat up for sbout ten minutes the irst time but thr refractory had not entirely dried so I think that nay have kept it from getting hot. Tht size of the chamber is aprox. 1.5' x 1.5' x 12'. as far as it being properly built, ?? I followed plans on the net it is basically a tube with about 1.5 to 2 inches of refractory all around and two holes for the torches. Oh and as I mentioned before, it is open on both sides. I read elsewhere that mapp can be used but I had hoped that someone here had a similar setup or knows that it is safe.

I will try to get it hot tomorrow now that it is completely dry and see if it works better.
 
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