Portable air tank forge build

F

FlightRN

Joined
Jan 22, 2021
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Hello all! I am new to knife making and am pondering the idea of building a forge. I hand built my 2x72 belt grinder with a 2hp motor and VFD, I also built my 220v heat treat oven so I have access to tools and am pretty handy. I also just love to tinker in the garage! I am looking at either a 5gal or 11 gal air tank. I want it capable of Damascus in the future. I was thinking 2in fiber lining and hard refractory brick bottom. I will coat with refractory and IR. I was looking at a T-rex burner. My questions are this. Is the 11 gal just too big? Would 1 t-rex be able to heat 11 gal tank to weld temps? http://ronreil.abana.org/Hybrid.shtml here is link to burner
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/jobsmart-portable-air-tank-11-gal?cm_vc=-10005
Here is tank
 
Unless you're just wanting to spend the $50 for the airtank I'd suggest using a 30 lb propane tank. Go by your propane supplier who most likely has a few sitting around that have been condemned but will make a NICE forge. I'd also suggest going with a blown forge rather than the venturi type burner. I've used both and hands down the blown forge is easier to build and better to work with.

Atlas has a small blown forge where he's using a very small DC fan and controller. I was wanting to try something like that, so I spent $15 or so for the fan and controller and darn if it didn't work good. My main forge using the $75 blower from Amazon. I see it's $86 now: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071NQDNRK
 
There are so many forge shaped objects available I can't see buying an air tank just to make a forge. As said, an old propane tank will work. Also, an old fire extinguisher, old compressed gas tank, trash can, pipe section, stove pipe, etc. I f9ind it hard to drive down the streets on trash day and not see potential forge bodies.
 
18" of 10-12" tubing from the steel yard would be just as cheap as the air tank, and easier to work with. I'd go with a couple smaller burners and properly block up the ends, you'll have plenty of heat.
 
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