Dec 3, 2019 #1 We moved into our current home in June. I've based my first 'real' forge on this guys specifications: link. Upload or insert images from URL. Iron has a low melting point, so this is most necessary for steel, or other metals with a similar melting point. Softwoods, unfortunately, burn at a faster rate, turn to charcoal quicker, and ultimately produce less ash.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'toolsowner_com-box-4','ezslot_2',106,'0','0'])); As stated at the outset of this article, coal burns the hottest at approximately 3,500℉ (1,977℃). Charcoal is considered the least desirable fuel when blacksmithing. Mar 8, 2017. I know that a typical blow drier puts out way too much air for charcoal, but with a diversion set up would be a fast cheap way to get more air through the fire. You will struggle to get the forge hot, and you will burn through fuel very quickly. Combine the best of all for your forge Not all forge welding projects require such a high temperature, nor does all types of fuel reach this heat. Not all forge welding projects require such a high temperature, nor does all types of fuel reach this heat. Hey guys. There are some homemade and custom designed gas forges that can reach this higher heat. Just about every forge needs some tuning for optimal efficiency. When claying OR cementing a forge the refractory/clay mix should be made as dry (stiff) as possible to prevent excessive shrinkage. It’s possible to turn some of the wood being used as fuel into charcoal through the process of pyrolysis, but this generally involves large wood piles and is difficult to do efficiently in a blacksmithing forge. there are no steel mills within a decent distance to me, does anyone have any other suggestions on where to get stock? Here in Socorro NM I could give you a dozen names and we're a town of under 10k people! For small stuff a pair of gatepost pliers can work. Propane burns at about 2,300℉ (1,260℃), which is below coal but hotter than wood.   You cannot paste images directly. or Best Offer. Stick a blow dryer on the end of that pipe. Over thousands of years of forging, these devices have evolved in one form or another as the essential features of this type of forge: 1. This will go through gas almost twice as fast as running at 6 PSI. However, like coal, propane requires ventilation in order to be safe to use. Got a Rutland thermometer for it and while burning for about 8 hours the highest I got was 200 degrees. Add coal to the reserve area in the forge. It is also much easier to achieve welding temperatures due to higher burning. What this actually means is that the metal will be hot enough to be worked and shaped.   Pasted as rich text. The depression for the make shift firepot was molded with a funnel, so it's possible it's way too steep. If you have decent ventilation in your workspace, coal, and propane are ideal sources of fuel. As for coal, Ive looked around where I live, and i cant really find anything less than a couple hours drive or more, so for the tinkering that I do, charcoal works now that I've gotten my temperature problem fixed. Propane is generally more expensive to burn versus coal. Despite it’s intense heat though, a blacksmith who works as a hobbyist would be at a higher benefit to burning wood, due to the expense required to ventilate a forge both for coal and propane. Paid Subscribers don't see ads! However, the temperature varies based on the fuel, type of forge, and metal you work with. Yeah, that's not going to be an adequate bellows. Ok after my forging class a friend of mine asked if I could make up a few things for her and I thought this is a perfect time to get in some "free" practice and make a few things. 2) at the moment I'm just playing around learning how to hit metal without doing it at an angle, and I'm banging on old rail road spikes I find along the tracks close to my farm. (This is once you've established a good fire, of course.) I drilled and filed a one inch hole in the bottom of the pit (holy XXXX that was a job, I'm certain there's a better tool than what I used, but after about two hours I got it done) and placed a floor plate for the blower/ash trap to attach to. The forging temperature for these same metals are as follows: Therefore, the fuel and heat required for your forge will depend on the metals that you regularly work with.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'toolsowner_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_9',110,'0','0'])); For metals with a low melting point such as iron, wood is an ideal form of fuel. 10 PSI is a much hotter flame and typically only needed for getting to forge welding temps. Since I can't use a coal forge in my area, I'm committed to finding a consistent method to forge weld two separate pieces together. However, the fuel and forge you decide to use will depend on the metal that you will be working with. Champion 48” X 48” X 10” Coal Forge With Blower (known As A Railroad Forge) $400.00. They also require much more attention to the fire, so you cant only light the fire and leave. After doing some reading I think the problem is my fan isnt powerful enough. They stock pile them and trade them for scrap iron cash. Viewed 11k times 2. Also not that this guy uses a 3" air inlet. It'll … and it's always great fun to "build your own", no matter what it is. Bellows or blower -- a means for forcing air into the tuyere 3. You can burn through a lot of charcoal … For charcoal you'll have to run the size by someone with more experience with that fuel, but to me some chunks seem very large. I really like the idea of throwing some wood atop the coals for a little extra flame/flavor. Proper selection of your forge by taking these variables into account will not only guarantee the proper quality of your forged pieces but offer you further enjoyment in your practice of forge welding. 6. Any help/ advice would be appreciated! Then the blower, the steel to fabricate etc.etc.etc. Or you you could have a hole through the side of the riser and out again. Wood, coal, and propane are typically the most popular choices for a forge fire.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'toolsowner_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',104,'0','0'])); Though all are viable choices for a forge, it is important to analyze the positives and negatives of all 3 forms of fuel to determine which you will use in the process of forge welding. 1 of 3 Go to page. However, yours might be a bit small. But to do this I need a forge. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. I have been lurking here for a while and have learned a pile. Your shaping and bending work will take longer. Also, don’t forget to take into account the price of blacksmith forges. Thusly, they are no longer "allowed" to sell you one. Tuyere -- a pipe through which air can be forced into the fire 2. During operation, fuel is placed in or on the hearth and ignited. With propane, however, it is as simple as turning an on and off switch to ensure balanced heat. Display as a link instead, × I have a passion for everything related to tools and DIY projects around the house. However, your time for working on the steel will be significantly shorter. There should be brake adjustments to fix that, but I'm totally unfamiliar with â ¦ You can post now and register later. Firepot or hearth -- a place where the burning fuel can be contained over or against the tuyere opening. In all cases the lower heat value of gas means longer heat times and more oxidation. 37 watching. × I replaced it with a 2" pipe and the performance greatly improved. Clear editor. That would give you a spot hot enough to forge. If your forge is letting all the heat from the torch just radiate away it will obviously need more flame to get hot enough for doing work. Experiment its the way to learn...about those lumps of charcoal just bash them with a hammer viola smaller peices lol I don't want to hijack my own thread, but I have a couple of other questions too: It could work, kind of. A forge works by getting hot when you push air across the fuel. Also, adding insulation is only the first step, you'll need to change the frame to something other than wood in order for it to be safe to use. This is particularly useful when forging with metals that hold a higher melting point, a consideration that will be discussed in more detail towards the end of this article. There's a reason the old-timers' bellows were enormous and double-chambered. For coal I've always been told that pieces should be between the size of the top half of your thumb and your thumb nail. Also be prepared to listen to everyone's stores about their relations who were smiths---but *listen*! The internet is also full of poor designs. This means that the maximum temperature of a coal fire in a forge is about 3,500°F (1,927°C). I purchased a cheap kettle charcoal grill a few weeks ago, and I feel like it's not getting hot enough. (my firepot was too small, I wasnt using enough fuel, air pressure was too low/high and was highly variable, etc.) If, however, you are a hobbyist, you may only work with one type of metal, so it’s easier for your choice of fuel to be based solely on that metal.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'toolsowner_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',109,'0','0'])); The most common metals used in forge welding are iron, steel, and their adjacent counterparts. Leaf blowers make obnoxious noise; far better to salvage a car heater blower and run it off a 12 volt car battery! There are options here and I won't go into details, other than to say it may be a five finger discount or you literally pay some guy at a salvage yard (under the table mind you) to snag you one. Wood is also the safest option in general, as the smoke it produces is not as harmful as coal or propane. You'll need to add a way to divert or choke some of the air flow. Now I just need to learn how to build a good charcoal fire : ). Paste as plain text instead, × Why I drove the distance I did to buy one for $35 plus tax. This setup is inspired by skin or pot bellows used probably since before the beginning of recorded history. 1) where did you guys get your first pair of tongs? LOL LOL LOL :blink: I was able to put my cobbled up forge together for less than a bought one (far less), and so far its working decently, worth the money that I paid so that I could learn what I'm doing, at least. You need insulation, also using pressed charcoal briquettes will not give you sufficient combustion to reach the appropriate temperature. The coal forges at our guild can be left unattended for at least fifteen minutes, probably considerably more, and will spring back to life as soon as you start cranking the blower.