Need a gas forge! Build or buy? Pros and cons?

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BluesHarp

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Oct 14, 2007
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I've been using an electric forge for my knifemaking that my Dad bought when he starting making back in '73. It's had the heating element replaced twice in that time, but it keeps on ticking. My only complaints are ...many. It's too small inside. The longest piece of steel I get in is about 11 inches, forcing it corner-to-corner. Secondly, it takes about half an hour at best to heat up to usable temperature. Then for each heat cycle to get my blade cherry red, another 20 minutes. Then there's the power drain. When the oven's on, I can't use my shop A/C unit, the belt grinder, or any tool that takes any large amount of wattage. So it's become a real pain and a bottleneck. I now that a gas forge is the way to go. They're fast, portable, cost-effective, and really not all the expensive. Especially if you build it. I'm sure I can, but I don't really want to very badly. Don't have the time. I'd rather get a good two-burner already built, that will handle a 12 inch blade. .......REMOVED SELLING/BUYING CONTENT........
Any other advice from the bladesmiths? Are there ANY advantages to an electric forge?

Thanks!
 
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I can't imagine anyone using a HT oven for forging, but now I have heard from someone who does it.

A basic propane gas forge is easy to build, simple to run, and a dream to forge with. One can be bought for a low enough price, or made for less than $100. They can easily be upgraded with better burners, PID control, and lots of extras ( without starting from scratch).

You will be able to sell it when and if you no no longer want it.
 
Hi BluesHarp,
I can only tell you what I have and why I like it.
I first off didn't have the time or wanting to experiment so I bought a Ellis 8" horizontal forge.
It is tube type, propane forge with a blower.
I can forge a Blade with a hidden tang around 17 1/2" long total length.
It get's up to welding heat around 15 to 20 minutes.
I have been running it for about 5 years probably 300 gallons of propane and I am about ready to rework and realign it.
I would someday like to try the Chile Grande - three burner forge for the extra length it gives.
Sincerely,
Dave
 
My suggestion, if you want a blown forge, build it because it is easy. If you want a venturi forge buy it, or at least the burner, because it can take some messing around to get it right.
 
To clarify, I don't forge blades, I'm strictly stock-removal and use the oven for heat treament. The electric oven has been doing the job for a lot of years, but it's time to move up. It sometimes limits me from taking on jobs for larger blades, it takes too much time, and keeps me from running any else in my shop! I'm not thrilled about the thought of running heavier wiring from the house to the shop, 50 feet away! It just looks like a much better way to do things.

I do a multiple-cycle heat treatment, and having to wait for the oven to get the blade back up to temp each time makes this a long process.
 
Definatly build! I built pretty much the one mentioned above from scratch (actually made two of them in different sizes) the part that takes the longest is waiting for the cement to dry.

I ordered the refractory materials from ellis, and got enough to build the forges and enough to reline them a couple times. Havent had to reline either yet.

For the blower i used a fan from a dishwasher. Its been running good for around 8 years.
 
I thought you were asking about forging steel with a electric oven.
If all you are doing is heat treatment, get a good 22" knifemakers HT oven and it will do that very well. If you want to forge blades, you will want a propane forge. The propane forge can be used to HT some blades, but the accuracy of temperature control is far less than an electric HT oven .

If you want to buy an oven, look in The Exchange or on Craig's List. You can not buy or sell in Shop Talk.
 
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