Shot down before making steel hot

Robert_Phelps

Robert_Phelps

Joined
Nov 29, 2005
Messages
475
Last week, I asked what the cheapest heat treating setup was. I was referred to Wayne Goddard'd "$50 Knife Shop," and read it when it came in today. As far as how to build a cheap gas forge, he basically says "Look online," and I did, and I havn't seen one yet that I thought I could build.. without dying in a giant fireball. Some of the tin-can/one-brick forges looked easy enough to make, but I don't want to be limited to carving knives. I don't need to make a sword, but I'd like to be able to make something with a full tang and a 6 inch blade. As far as coal forges, (which I was going to make, since I have a big old rusted charcoal grill) it seems you can't use briquettes, and there is no "Blacksmith supply" in my yellow pages. I saw some smithing coal online for $20 a sack, but I know that would add up quick. What should I do? Is there a simpler way to build a non-miniature furnace? Can someone please dumb it down for me? (I'm really not an idiot, I promise:o )
->I don't own any powertools as of now, but I've saved $200 to try to get started doing the knife making thing, so.. I suppose that would be a factor.
I'd really appreciate any help :D
 
Another question, while I'm at it. (I tried to search for this, but I don't think the blade forums search button likes me?) How can I shape bar stock into knife shaped pieces? Hacksaw? Jigsaw? Seesaw?
 
Blue_Dragon said:
Some of the tin-can/one-brick forges looked easy enough to make, but I don't want to be limited to carving knives. I don't need to make a sword, but I'd like to be able to make something with a full tang and a 6 inch blade.
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You should be able to make something of that size in a one-brick/beancan sized forge. Also, consider strapping 2 soft firebricks together and carving a larger chamber in the center of the two.

As far as coal forges, (which I was going to make, since I have a big old rusted charcoal grill) it seems you can't use briquettes, and there is no "Blacksmith supply" in my yellow pages. I saw some smithing coal online for $20 a sack, but I know that would add up quick. What should I do?
Click to expand...

Have you checked the ABANA website for affiliates in your area? See if you can find a blacksmith guild through ABANA. If you find 'smiths around you you'll find a way to make things hot. Even if a guild or affiliate body isn't exactly near you, contact them and see if they know folks in your area.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

-d
 
First I'll say be carefull always tripple check your fittings when working with gas lines second I'll give you the holy link to forge building :) Well it might not be the ultimate but it got me started pretty nice.you might have to read it alot but trust me it all makes sense.Ron Reil is a genius.
Mr. Reils page
ABANA
forge supplies
I probably wasted 100$ in gas looking for stuff locally to build a forge,Darren at ellis custom knife works has everything,even a forge gallery to browse.
As for a forge body think round,think free,think often.
Happy building!
 
BLUE_DRAGON,
I would suggest a 2 brick forge. I haven't built one yet, but
I will be picking up some soft fire brick at blade this weekend to build one.
you should be able to heat treat/ forge a blade at least 6 to 61/2 inches.I've already made a knife vise and file guide this week and hope to test them out
next week. I'm new to this myself, I've only made 1 knife and assemble 2
others from blades that i bought. If I can help any, just ask. By the way,
where are you in GA. ? Randy Roberts
 
As mentioned above, check out Darren Ellis' site for forge parts and supplies. He has great prices on burners and other parts and should make building one very easy.
 
Dan Gray said:
gas forges are easy to build
look here
http://www.knivesby.com/knifemaking.html
under Build it yourself , just go as big as you can afford, your imagination where you get parts can save you more..
Click to expand...

Darrens site is here also
under
Forge.......>>click the link..>> Satanite Refractory, Kaowool, ITC-100
Coal Bob Warner
Gas Indian George
Gas Ron Reil
Gas Larry Zoeller
Gas James Riser
Gas10 Minute Forge Jock Dempsey
Gas Don Fogg
Gas DW Wilson
Gas Bob Warner
Gas Lionel Oliver II
Gas Very Simple Forge

looks like I need to add http://hossom.com/tutorial/jonesy/
 
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