Multiple brick forges:

Robert_Phelps

Robert_Phelps

Joined
Nov 29, 2005
Messages
475
Q#2:
My one-brick forge got broken in transport recently, so I'm kind-of forced to get a new forge now.

I've seen some forges built from around 7 firebricks or so, and was wondering where their heating quality was at (Heat treating, not forging). I was thinking instead of the cube shaped ones I've seen, a longer (maybe large enough for a foot of blade length) rectangle shape might work better for me. I've got two JTH7 torches; Would having something resembling a scaled up one-brick forge, but with two JTH7's along it's length, function similar to a serious forge? Can soft firebrick forges be coated on the inside like a metal bodied forge? Any tips on building it?

Thank you.
(Sorry for the repost, I'm forgeless, and desperate. Who knows what I might do. :eek: )
 
I'm building a 7 brick type forge now. mine will have a 2" x 8" round chamber.
Am having a hard time getting an even heat through the hole chamber, thats why I have modified it to round with refractory cement. Tomorrow when the cement is dry will fire again and if it heats evenly I'll post pictures. Very simple construction, and I should be able to make it very portable. If I don't get an even heat I'll still post pictures and ask for ideas on why.
 
Alright. That's pretty much what I was going to do (round hole, coated inside.) So I'll see how yours works out.
 
I'll be following this thread to see what you both do. I'm heading off on vacation this weekend for a week w/ my wife's family and am going to try and whip up a one or two brick forge to take along. I'll be doing some heat treating and maybe some tabletop forging if i can find something to pound on that doesn't weigh 100 lbs or more.....
Lets see some pics!
Ed
 
forge010.jpg


I still need to put a regulator on the propane tank. the fire fluctuates a bit and I need to constantly adjust the gas. I found that I needed to have quite a bit more flame coming out the front than I had thought. once I got used to the dragons breath I started getting good heat. From what I can see at first I should be able to heat treat about 6" of blade. Bricks are 9" long and I have about 1.5" removable plug in the back.
 
Thanks for the pics. Nice job. What kind of torch is that?
I ended up bagging the idea of bringing my forgeing stuff and just brought some small blades that need some fancy file work. Got a hot fix today when I stumbled upon a blacksmith shop in Greenport Long Island and did an imprompto forging demo for the blacksmith. Make a bladefrom a file he had lying around. That should get me by till I get back home....
Ed
 
All I can say about the torch is its very old. Hand me down from my father, and I've had it for 40 years. works like a charm though. I think it would heat 4 times the volume I have, and I may have to find out.
 
My original idea was kind of stupid, I think... I'll build a more standard 7-brick.
I'll get the 3/4" venturi and the other things it'll need from Ellis...
but, I still haven't heard definitively if these can be stable, relatively uniform heat treating forges.:confused: I'd rather not spend any money if it won't be a big leap up from the 1 brick forge. Moving a blade back and forth past a hot spot over and over makes it hard to hold a temperature, to say the least.
 
Ellis....type 3/4" burner is supposed to heat up to 350 square inches. The 7 brick forge the way I did it is only 39 square inches. What I'm learning is that once the bricks get hot you can turn down the gas volume.... Or maybe if I was just more patent and just let it warm up. I worked two pieces of steel and could change back and forth as fast as I could work on a cold anvil. I don't think even heating will be a problem in this Little forge.
 
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