quick and easy forge

mattd

mattd

Joined
Oct 6, 2003
Messages
252
I have done a search on forge and just haven't developed a solid plan yet. I want to build a forge that will work for large knives as well as small ones. I want a plan that can be executed by taking one trip to the local hardware store. It doesn't have to be cheap just not expensive. There is plenty written on making really cheap ones but I would rather have a nice clean one that is versitile. I'm thinking a gas forge would be best but what kind of gas seems to be a debate and I don't want to use a mapp/oxygen mix. When it comes to this, I would rather not learn by too much trial and error. I feel like I might be asking alot but I figure that I should bounce my thoughts off you guys and hopefully develop a plan for the weekend.
 
Mattd,

Here's what you're looking for:

forge.jpg


It's just a propane weed burner and some fire bricks from the brick place. Takes about 10 minutes to setup.

It's hot enough to forge and heat treat. (you won't be welding damascus!) You can play and play and play. Then search around for that perfect home made forge. I suggest this because you can gain some experience, before investing in a new forge or making your own.


I finally built this:

forge2.jpg


IF you just HAVE to make a forge, try this one:

http://www.reil1.net/minifor1.shtml



Hope that helps
 
Diving right in huh? :D You won't regret it.

Here are some links that might help:

Tutorial for making a burner.
http://www.frontiernet.net/~metalcast/reil_1.html

Modification to previous burner, easier to build and tune (at least I thought so, thats why I did it ;) )
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=278592&highlight=easy+burner+forge


That covers the burner, you also need a source for propane. I use a 20lb tank like you use for a grill. And you'll need a regulator, which can be found online or at a gas supply or some welding places.

If you can't find a source for firebricks locally, you can order Kaowool online and use that to insulate the forge.Its what I'm going to use for my forge because I don't like how firebricks crack over time, and its either to move around.

You'll have to have a better hardware store in town than I do to get it all in one plce, but its not too bad.
Definitely go with a larger burner, either like the weed burning torch or a reil type homemade one. You won't get anything but frustration if you try to use a small torch head and the MAPP gas bottles (I tried, its only good for about a 4" blade)

Let us know what you come up with :D
 
Hi this is DaQo'tah...

I wish you luck...

I have just got my first real gas forge going this last few weekends, and it's tons of fun,,,perhaps the best part of making a knife is the time I spend working with the forge..

I didnt have enough money or any understanding on how to make a gas forge, so I have made all my blades up to now with a home-made coal forge. I came up with a design that allowed me to get a welding heat very fast, and would also allow me to forge in the rain,,(I had to always forge outside due to the tons of sparks and danger of fire)

When I decided that "enough was enough" and to somehow make the jump to a real gas forge, I got tons of advice on how to make my own,,,,

From the many websites that I was linked to, it seems easy to do,,,,well,,,easy for some people to do anyway..

But I chickened-out and just got one off of some guy in Texas from a ebay-type site...Im happy.

If you do try to make your own, "Good Luck"....there is plenty of guys who have made their own forge, and there are tons of websites that show how it's all done...there was one design that I almost tried to build,,,A guy shows how to make a one-burner forge out of a empty Freon gas tank...it looked within my abilities, and I did actually find a empty Freeon can to use..

Good luck, let us know how it goes...
 
Making your own forge and burner is as fun as making knives...I built mine from a 50 gal drum and some home-made refractory. It will fit any size hunk of steel and is so well insulated I can bring it to welding temperature by lighting a fart in it..:p Let me know if you need any help.
 
Originally posted by ragnoor
Hmmm, "some guy". If that don't beat all. I guess you live and learn.


Ken Beatty:confused:
Click to expand...

Ken,
What kind of a forge did this "guy in Texas" make?

Craig
 
I would like to take this time to thank all of you that have freely given all your knowledge to us beginers without expecting any payment, other than perhaps a simple acknowledgement.

Thank You!
 
Originally posted by Bruz
I would like to take this time to thank all of you that have freely given all your knowledge to us beginers without expecting any payment, other than perhaps a simple acknowledgement.

Thank You!
Click to expand...

Hey! We're doing this for free???
 
I built a Tim Lively-style forge this weekend. I wanted to try a charcoal forge, and this design works really well. MattD, you should check out his website. It's pretty cheap, but really effective. For gas, I use a Forgemaster Blacksmith model. It has twin burners, and will weld a really big billet if I want to. Not cheap though. Doing the NT thing is kind of a nice break from what I normally do, so I made the charcoal forge. I'll probably fire it up in a couple days.
 
I did some research this weakend and even got an offer for a free forge. Its a charcoal style with a pan about the size of a trashcan lid and a motor that turns a fan that pushes air up through the bottom. There are some other dials on it but I don't know what they are for. Its pretty big and I don't really know how I would get it working so I didn't take it yet. I was thinking that if I can find a place that sells fire bricks I would buy a propane set up like they use many times for branding irons. Not the pot just the torch and tank. Much like itrade's. Why is there a pan with a themometer on the top?
 
Mattd,

The pan is for quenching oil. It's on top to warm up and the thermometer is for monitoring.

You can get insulated fire brick, but I had a hard time finding it. What you see in that picture is just plain old fireplace brick from the brick yard. I won't last as long or get as hot. But for learning it's cheap, easy, and clean.

BTW what you see there is a big open area. It's best to skoot the bricks in as close as possible. Small area - extra heat. Play away.

Steve
 
Originally posted by mattd
I was thinking that if I can find a place that sells fire bricks I would buy a propane set up like they use many times for branding irons.
Click to expand...

I don't have them listed on my web page yet, but I have soft firebricks in stock, let me know if I can be of any help! :)

-Darren
 
I am gradualy moving towards the forge building thing. I think it is a little complicated, but mostly I think I just didn't want to create a massive fireball. Following the instructions for a propane torch forge seemed real easy since I don't have to worry about the manufacture of a burner. The hybridburner.com approach seems like a nice mix. Granted it's more expensive, but apparently twice as hot as a Reil, and possibly more fuel efficient. Seems like a useful simplification. Actualy, if one doesn't need a blower, one might save money with a hybrid (yes I know, "your" blower was scrounged for free).
 
itrade,

I won't last as long or get as hot. But for learning it's cheap, easy, and clean.

do you think it would be a good idea to do what you did with the fireplace bricks but with forge bricks. Or should I just start with fireplace bricks and go from there?
 
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