Vertical vs horizontal forge?

[FL_Jimbo_K]

I started in the stickies, then when back to internet, then came back here; I'm just trying to understand the terms - "vertical" vs "horizontal" when describing a propane forge? Is it about the heat chamber, or the burner direction, or the alignment of the moon and ursa major? While on this quest I did read quite a bit about; about salt baths, heat treatment, quenchants and how they actually function, the Ms and tempering. I have had a very productive afternoon (in my office, so I even got paid to read!), thank you Stacey for all your work in compiling and organizing this information! But can somebody explain, or point me to the correct thread that explains the difference, and the purpose of this difference? I'm sure it is so simple, but I had no success so far. Thanks in advance, for helping this novice smith.

 

[Boogaloo]

If you think of most forge bodies as cylindrical the horizontal/vertical refers to the direction of the axis of the cylinder. A horizontal forge is like a pipe laying down while a vertical has the pipe upright.
Horizontal forges are more versatile by virtue of the larger chamber. Vertical forges will have a more concentrated and uniform heat, they're often used for making pattern welded billets.

 

[FL_Jimbo_K]

If you think of most forge bodies as cylindrical the horizontal/vertical refers to the direction of the axis of the cylinder. A horizontal forge is like a pipe laying down while a vertical has the pipe upright.
Horizontal forges are more versatile by virtue of the larger chamber. Vertical forges will have a more concentrated and uniform heat, they're often used for making pattern welded billets.

Thanks Boogaloo,your definition of the axis of the chamber helps a LOT! Now next question, not to sound smart-assy, 1 picture I saw of the vertical forge had a small side opening - about 3 inch square, but the person described it with a top opening and removable lid, so I'm still a little out of sync. How does a vertical chamber make the heat more uniform? I mean if both forges have the same insulation, burner angle, etc., how would orientation provide anything more than a minimal difference? Or is that minimal difference at a near critical performance point that just that bit gets you "over the edge" so to speak? Or is it because your steel is not laying flat on the forge bottom, so possibly allowing better circulation around the piece being heated? Sorry for so many questions, i'm just trying to wrap my head around it is all. Thanks again for sharing what you know, JK.

 

[Boogaloo]

In a vertical forge the burner enters in the same manner but the working chamber is radial/diametral. The top and bottom of the forge are generally capped off.
If z is axial direction and r is radial you have heat coming up in z then out in r.

In both configurations your temperature in the r direction should be pretty uniform since r<z.
With a horizontal burner your work goes in in z and thus will always be hotter close to burner.
In vertical forge you're only working with a 2-3 inch difference in z so heat in the insulated inner portion should be much more uniform.

Hope this makes some sense...