The Day Has Come!! Test Fire of my Forge!!!

An easy way to reduce the diameter is to line the working area of the forge with soft firebrick. Move the wall to the required length for the blade and then stack a 2 firebrick layer on the forge floor. This should reduce it down to an economic level.

I'm surprised that it only takes 5 PSI to get that monster to forging heat... that one hell of a durner desing IG...
 
Jimmy, you have done a helluva nice job building that forge. I think you will be doing yourself a favor adding another insulation layer to cut down the internal volume.

I would suggest this for the hole in the back: make it about 3" tall x 4" wide. Then, get a piece of angle the width of a firebrick and weld it under the hole, in such a way you can use it as an "adjustable rear door" for your forge.

As for the pressure to run a forge, that is all relative to the size of the orifice. I use a .030" MIG tip in my burner and have to run it at 21PSI to weld. The real important part other than the temperature is the flow (consumption) of gas. I also think that the velocity of the gas has some bearing, but that gets into physics that are beyond me. Thus, a small orifice may need high pressure to get the same flow as a .060" hole, but consumes the same gas with a higher velocity gas stream. The bottom line is, despite hearing pressure always bandied about as if it were universally comparable, it is only relevant for equal burner designs. My buddy Bowie runs an 1/8" copper tube for an orifice. He can get to welding heat at 3PSI then adjust it down to less than 1/2PSI and maintain welding temps.

Hope that helps a bit. :)
 
Jimmy, something to try to test your forge: get some 20 Mule Team borax (flux) and lay a bit on some steel. Put it in the forge and see if it will boil (bubble). That will be a good indication you can get a billet to welding temps. Don't get it on your wool, it'll damage it. Perhaps lay a firebrick in there and lay thye steel on that.

Wear UV-protective eyewear if you are going to be staring into the mesmerizing fire. ......
 
Thanks for the tips!

I am definitely going to look into cutting that hole in the back. Today I ran out of Oxygen and Acetylene for my torch. :mad: I was, however, able to get some stronger wheels on the cart. Ill get some more juice tomorrow.

I am also making a door for the front right now. I don’t know if I am going to be able to work on it for a while though :(. I may be able to pick it up on Wednesday.

And on that borax. Is the 20 mule team the type normally used in making damascus?

Thanks Fitzo
Yall don't know how much I appreciate your suggestions...
 
Ah, that's ok Jimmy. We'll get you set up and then demand money for "damascus secrets"!!:eek: ;) Not really, of course. Your enthusiasm is our reward, I promise.

Regarding the 20 Mule: there's 20 Mule Team Borax and 20 Mule Team soap.
You DO NOT want the soap.

Many people use the 20MT Borax for flux making damascus. There is also a much finer powder called "anhydrous borax". Some people prefer that because it doesn't fluff up as much and fall off the billet into the forge. I've tried both and personally like either just fine. When I use the 20MT I simply turn the billet in the flame outside the forge mouth and get it melted on.

There are other fluxes you will eventually hear about. Some are home recipes and some are fancy. Be cautious using those, as they sometimes contain hazardous flouride-containing chemicals.
 
Hey Red J.!!! Did you see how I put the floor into my forges??? Hard firebricks and where they meet the sides on the forge I fill up the gap with Kitty Litter mixed with Satanite. The flux will not eat through the hard brick.;)
 
indian george said:
Hey Red J.!!! Did you see how I put the floor into my forges??? Hard firebricks and where they meet the sides on the forge I fill up the gap with Kitty Litter mixed with Satanite. The flux will not eat through the hard brick.;)
Click to expand...

Yep, that is what I plan on doing. I have a lot of firebrick that I am going to line the bottom half with. THis thing is going to weight a ton!! :)

And fitzo thanks for the flux info.
 
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