Photos What is wrong with my forge?

[Cut The Mustard]

So using several of the tutorials on 2 brick forges I built one, per the pictures. However my Forge does not seem capable of getting hot enough. I tried widening the whole for my torch tip, which did not seem to do anything. I tried to introduce more oxygen with a blower. I have tried 14 oz and 16 oz tanks, but after the initial burst from the new tank the flame seems to insubstantial I have burned out 1 14 oz blue propane tank and to Ace brand 16 oz tanks all in the span of like 35 mins. What can I do to make this build work? Or do I need to start over.

Build list includes
Two Fire Bricks
A good coating of this refractory cement
and I have been using this Tip

Here are some relevant pictures. Any advice is greatly appreciated

 

[Ken H>]

Did you put a cover over the back end (loose cover to allow a bit of air)? Perhaps a bit of cover over about half of front?

 

[Natlek]

Judging by the picture and where flame hits the wall , you can t get swirling effect ??

 

[Cut The Mustard]

m definitely not getting the swirling effect. Is there a certain way to position the tip to get the effect? I have tried both covering and not covering the forge back as well as partially covering.

 

[Tom Lewis]

I have never used a forge like yours. I have a vertical blown forge. I was having trouble getting it hot enough till I put ITC 100 over the satinite. that made a huge difference.

 

[BushwickBill]

is it cold outside ? I don't have experience forging but I have had problems with 1lb bottles freezing up while hunting in cold weather. they work just as you described great at first then they peter out

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I can't see your photos, but will say that a 1 pound bottle won't run a forge long, and may well freeze up after a while as Bill pointed out. Get a 20 pound tank and a hose adapter for your torch.

Also, most all plumbing torches don't deliver enough BTU's to run a forge.

The best solution is to buy or build a proper forge with a proper burner.

 

[Willie71]

The burners from atlas forge are great for the price. Nice people too. You can get better, but it will cost a lot more.

http://www.atlasknife.com/product/atlas-30k-burner/

 

[Cut The Mustard]

is it cold outside ? I don't have experience forging but I have had problems with 1lb bottles freezing up while hunting in cold weather. they work just as you described great at first then they peter out

This was 100% my problem. Im up in Maine so my tanks were siezing up. I warmed it up and voila roaring forge spiral that got plenty hot. Thanks for the tip.