Setting up propane for forge

colu41

colu41

Joined
Dec 24, 2014
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So I'm picking up a 100lbs propane tank tomorrow to start setting up my forge. (Forge is currently being built). I'm in need of some info on what type of blowers/nozzles people use.
I read of a lot of people making theirs, but I'm looking for a cheaper easier way as this will be my first time ever attempting to Forge.
Anything I need to know or absolutely need?

I'm mostly interested in doing very small billets of damascus. But also would like to do some simple forging down the road.
 
Better yet, is there a place where I can buy a burner ready to plug in and go?

I'm all about building things on my own but, this seems like a part that needs to be precise. (the more I read about oxygen levels, to fuel levels and the latter, makes me a little nervous)
 
I looked up the Reil burners. They're quite expensive. I think hightemptools will be the way to go for me.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
+1 Hightemptools
Atlas Forge ( member here)
Ron Reil burners
Zoeller forge
Click to expand...

Also Stacy, I read through the stickies and you mention about how you recommend a blown burner. I'm just Not sure I understand fully how they work. You just have a high powered blower, blowing in the forge next to a certain propane burner?
Just seems the ready built venturis are easier & cheaper, just plug in and go really. But as I said before, I have no experience with forges. This is just going off the quick bit of research I have done. So far between a new filled 100lbs propane tank, my anvil, and the forge, I've spent around $250. Forge and anvil were built with available materials. So I'm hoping to get the burner and regulators I need for under $200 and I'll be a very happy man.
 
What size forge are you building? It's important to know so we can recommend the proper size burner. You want around 400 BTU per cubic inch. I have them in both 30k and 100k BTU sizes.
 
A venture burner draws the air in by the venturi effect. The gas jet creates a low pressure area which draws air in the tube. The gas pressure must be high enough to create the draw. This is usually between 5 and 30 PSI. They can't run at low pressure, or the flame will go out or flash back and burn in the burner tube.

A blown burner has a blower delivering air down the burner pipe. A gate valve or choke controls the air amount. A 1/4" needle valve controls the gas, which enters the burner tube about 12" from the chamber, and mixes with the air. They use about 1/2 tp 5PSI. They can run as low as you wish r get hot enough to melt steel.
 
Last edited:
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
A venture burner draws the air in by the venturi effect. The gas jet creates a low pressure area which draws air in the tube. The gas pressure must be high enough to create the draw. This is usually between 5 and 30 PSI. They can't run at low pressure, or the flame will go out or flash back and burn in the burner tube.

A blown burner has a blower delivering air down the burner pipe. A gate valve or choke controls the air amount. A 1/4" needle valve controls the gas, which enters the burner tube about 12" from the chamber, and mixes with the air. They use about 1/2 tp 5PSI. They can run as low as you wish r get hot enough to melt steel.
Click to expand...

So is the blown burner more gas efficient? Or are they both pretty similar when it comes to usage?
 
What type of "blower" would I need for something like this then? Does it hook into an A/C? I'm not sure what type of blower/fan system these would use, also curious on cost.
forcedairburner.jpg
 
Those are standard blown burners from HTT. They need a blower that delivers 100-150 CFM. The blower is hooked up to the valve with a face plate. The blower usually runs on AC, but some are DC and some are connected to a controller to make them VS. Do a search and look at some photos of forges and you will see how it hooks up.

While a proper forge blower is great, a simple blower work fine in most cases:
http://www.centaurforge.com/Dayton-115-volt-Blower/productinfo/D5/
 
Thanks Stacy. A little of topic but, I'm planning on picking up maybe a 1/2 pint of ITC100. If there's any left over after doing the forge, would it be good in my HT oven?
 
My thoughts are that it isn't needed or desired for inside a HT oven. Store the excess in an air tight container. Dilute it a bit before storage, and check it every once in awhile to make sure it isn't dry. Just add water to thin it back down. You will need it for patching and such in your forge.
 
Ok thanks. I also ordered a 5# bag of satanite. Was planning on coating the inside with that and then a layer or 2 of the ITC
 
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