tiny forge

D

dozuki

Joined
Apr 4, 2006
Messages
77
I am new to knife making and want to be as cost effective (Im cheap) and safe (Don't want to burn down the house) as possible.
I read about Wayne Goddard's one brick forge and saw a brit site that used two of the same kind of brick and I think that's the one I want to try. Has anyone used one of these and does anyone have a source for the bricks?
Thanks for the help in advance. Paul
 
I have been using a 1 or two brick forge. I have not used a 'normal' forge since middle school, so I don't really have anything to compare it to. That being said here are the pros and cons I am able to come up with in my experience.

Pros:

Cheap
easy to make
portable
small, so easy to stash away
Can use a small container of propane or mapp gas

Cons:
Small bottles freeze up pretty easy (causing a loss in gas pressure)
Small (blade size is limited)
The bricks are pretty fragile, and will crack with significant heat

If you go that route, You want a Bernz o matic Jth-7 mapp gas torch (can be used with propane as well) and you will want to encase the bricks with something. chicken wire or SOMETHING to keep them together. I have gone through maybe 5 bricks so far in about a year.

Hope this helps.

Also, I have not tried it yet, but maybe coating the inside of the pricks with ITC-100 will help to keep them from falling apart from the heat.

I just ordered some stuff for my soon to be new forge from Darren and Katheryn as well. Great people, I definately recommend them as well.
 
phone the local pottery shops or pottery supplies shop and ask for soft kiln bricks, they are the ones you need. Wrap them with wire so when they crack the forge will not fall apart. I cut the ends off the bricks and used them fr doors held on with coat hanger wire.
This setup works well for the cost and effort needed to build it. I did manage to make up to a 6' blade with a two brick forge.
Cheers Ron.
 
thanks for all of the pointers. I think I will use the brick forge. It sound straight foreward to make. I have already ordered a couple bricks. and have aquired a lawn mower blade. I just cut off a section for a knife blank. man what a pain in to rear admiral that is. Can anyone recomend a good hack saw blade. Or is there a way to soften the steel. thanks for the help.
 
Dozuki, Get a high tension hack saw and 24 tooth bi-metal blades.The difference between a high tension and a regular hacksaw is enormous.They are available at the hardware stores for around $20-25.
As far as the lawn mower blade goes,it stands a good chance of not being good for knives ( the steel used is made to be tough ,not sharp).Either get a piece of 5160 from a spring shop,or order a piece of O-1 from a knife or industrial supplier.The steel will only cost a few dollars per blade.
 
I first used a one brick forge....works really well! Keep that blade moving, though! They are so easy to make. With a wood drill bit big enough for the chamber, you can make one in about 5 minutes. They are indeed fragile and tend to crack, but its not a big issue if you wire them like people have said. I got my bricks from darren ellis.
 
I new i could count on you guys for good information. I'm going out this morning hunting for a hacksaw and a good torch. I had thought of using the chimney for my barbq. its the thing I use to get the coal going. i had noticed that the coal was much hotter in there than in the barbecue. Now I'm not to sure about the lawn mower blade. I think Ill order a piec of 5160 and O-1. Thanks again. If I everr manage to finish something I'll post a picture no matter how ugly.
 
Just remember to rely on the magnet for HT...make sure the entire length is non magnetic before quenching. This may be tricky with a small torch, so take your time. Hers how I made my one brick:

I took a 2" wood drill bit, bored through the brick lengthwise. Measure length from bottom of brick to apex of the hole you just drilled. now drill a hole from the side that will fit your torch so that it interescts the lengthwise hole at the very top. This will cause the heat to swirl around the lengthwise hole rather than just blasting your blade in one spot. For large blades, file away the bottom of the opening so that the torch doesnt just heat one part. Youre looking for even heat. cut a slot in the bottom of the lengthwise hole to hold your blades. Bring the lil forge up to temp...the insides should be glowing. Seal off the openings at the ends as best possible during HT to contain the heat to that chamber.
 
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