Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => At the Forge => Topic started by: osage outlaw on December 17, 2018, 04:24:44 pm

Title: Making a gas forge
Post by: osage outlaw on December 17, 2018, 04:24:44 pm
This has been on my to-do list for a long time.  I finally started on it.  This old propane tank should make a decent forge.

(https://i.imgur.com/rf2PWbL.jpg)


I couldn't get the valve loose so I put a .44 magnum vent hole in the bottom to make sure it was empty.

(https://i.imgur.com/IA2PqSx.jpg)


Front and back openings cut, old paint removed, burner ports installed, and legs made from horse shoes.

(https://i.imgur.com/PM77CiW.jpg)


Painted with high temp flat black.  It looks grey in the pictures.  I'm waiting on a few parts to be delivered before I build the burners. 

(https://i.imgur.com/sKJ3vx1.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/Y6UCifE.jpg)
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: BowEd on December 17, 2018, 04:35:49 pm
Pretty darn neat Clint.
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: Danzn Bar on December 17, 2018, 04:41:17 pm
Looking good Buddy
DBar
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: DC on December 17, 2018, 05:04:29 pm

I couldn't get the valve loose so I put a .44 magnum vent hole in the bottom to make sure it was empty.

I knew Elvis wasn't dead ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: Trapper Rob on December 17, 2018, 06:21:54 pm
I have a tank to do the same thing.
Clint where are you getting your parts from?
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: osage outlaw on December 17, 2018, 06:51:39 pm
I got the supplies to insulate and line it from Wayne Coe.  He has a website.   The rest I've got from home depot and ebay.
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: sleek on December 17, 2018, 07:53:20 pm
Can you show and tell about your burner set up?
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: osage outlaw on December 17, 2018, 08:02:00 pm
I will once I get it assembled.
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: JW_Halverson on December 18, 2018, 01:08:45 pm
Any mysterious stink juice in this one???   >:D
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: KHalverson on December 18, 2018, 02:03:41 pm
nice.
how many inches of inswool  are you adding?
2 venture style burners should get you to welding heat no problem.
are you going to add a tool rest out front  for those long pieces?
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: osage outlaw on December 18, 2018, 08:34:20 pm
I'm using 2 layers of Inswool 1" thick.  I thought about a tool rest but I want to keep the overall length down so I can store it on a shelf.  I have plenty of fire brick to set up as a rest. 
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: bjrogg on December 19, 2018, 08:28:49 pm
Looking good Clint. Those look like some pretty nice welds on those burner ports.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: osage outlaw on December 20, 2018, 06:49:21 am
I can't take credit for those welds BJ.  Our MIG welder is out for repairs so I had to get someone to TIG weld it for me.  I haven't learned how to TIG weld yet.

The last of the burner parts were delivered yesterday.  I'm waiting on a cold or rainy day to put it together.  The weather has been too nice for indoor projects. 
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: Hawkdancer on December 20, 2018, 10:43:37 am
The .44 mag probably loosened up the valve a bit >:D (lol)!  A nifty looking improv!  You could show that off at MoJam! 
Hawkdancer
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: TrevorM on December 20, 2018, 11:20:38 am
Oh I like that, great idea! Hmm I have an old tank too, I might have to give that a go I've been wanting to try out forging.
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: Hawkdancer on December 20, 2018, 09:33:25 pm
Be sure to open the valve and stand back a ways before creating a .44 magnum vent hole in the bottom! >:D (lol).  I wonder if a 30 lb. bottle would be more versatile as far as being deeper for longer stock?
Hawkdancer
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: osage outlaw on December 23, 2018, 08:39:03 pm
I started on the burners tonight.  I have them assembled but I still have a little work to do before they are done.  I made temporary air choke plates.  I will make some out of thicker metal.  I need to tack weld the nozzles in place so they stay centered. 

(https://i.imgur.com/DpXTZ3v.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/F96rfGA.jpg)
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: Pat B on December 23, 2018, 11:38:25 pm
That thing looks like it will fly, Clint. I'm sure it will heat up steel.
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: KHalverson on December 24, 2018, 05:39:41 am
once you get those burners tuned that thing will go to welding heat no problem.
I need to build a new propane forge myself and a new coal forge.
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: osage outlaw on December 27, 2018, 04:47:17 pm
The nozzles are tack welded in place and I could do a proper test run.  They worked great.  I need to figure out a better option for the air choke plates.   I'll do that after I get it all installed.

(https://i.imgur.com/pzljlzo.jpg)
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: Hawkdancer on December 27, 2018, 11:38:22 pm
Them horses is snortin' fire!  Looks ready to put together and do a test run!
Hawkdancer
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: osage outlaw on January 02, 2019, 06:05:06 pm
Well I'm slowly making progress on this thing.  Tonight I lined it with ceramic insulation wool.  I used 2 layers of 1" thick material.  That is some nasty stuff.  I wore a respirator to avoid breathing the fibers.  The next step is to coat it with refractory cement.   I'll try to get to that this weekend. 

(https://i.imgur.com/cZBvKhF.jpg)
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: Pat B on January 02, 2019, 08:17:43 pm
That's gonna be a class A gas forge, Clint.  :OK   (f)
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: DC on January 03, 2019, 09:43:50 am
What size hole do you drill for the gas jet?
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: osage outlaw on January 03, 2019, 10:04:41 am
What size hole do you drill for the gas jet?

I used welding tips for the gas jets.  I think they were 0.6mm. 



I ordered some fumed silica powder last night.  You dissolve it in water and then spray it on the insulation.  It's supposed to harden it and make it easier to line with refractory cement.  I will have to wait a week for that to arrive now. 
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: Aaron H on January 03, 2019, 10:05:23 am
Great build Clint.

Jack of all trades
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: Hawkdancer on January 03, 2019, 10:58:24 pm
Looks cool!  You passed my skill set when you said cutting torch and weld!  That would be a neat sight to see at MoJam, though!  Can hardly wait to see it fired up and working!
Hawkdancer
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: osage outlaw on January 07, 2019, 06:47:45 pm
I coated the ceramic insulation with the fumed silica.  I put some red food coloring in with the water when I mixed it up.  That way I could see where I had coated it.  I'll give it a couple of days and see if it hardens up like it's supposed to. 

(https://i.imgur.com/yUaQTsx.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/JThs2JT.jpg)
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: Pat B on January 07, 2019, 08:20:37 pm
Are you going to have a remote igniter? Might save a little knuckle hair.  (lol)
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: osage outlaw on January 07, 2019, 08:26:02 pm
No, I'll use a small hand held torch to light it.   
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: BowEd on January 08, 2019, 05:28:01 pm
Pretty blame neat Clint!!Now how hot is it going to get in there?2000 degrees or better?
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: osage outlaw on January 08, 2019, 08:20:10 pm
I'm not sure Ed.  I'm hoping it gets hot enough for forge welding.
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: Pappy on January 09, 2019, 05:59:11 am
That is looking very good Clint. :)
 Pappy
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: osage outlaw on January 11, 2019, 04:58:53 pm
The rigidizer took longer than expected to dry because the temperature dropped.  I put a space heater blowing through it for 24 hours and that dried it out.  I put the first coat of Kast-O-lite over the insulation.  It's a castable refractory cement.  I bought 15 lbs of this stuff and used about 6 lbs so far on the base coat. 

(https://i.imgur.com/CTKmFbM.jpg)


(https://i.imgur.com/XTwF1Kd.jpg)
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: TRiggs on January 12, 2019, 09:30:59 am
Just a little tip, you should remove the feet on your forge and re-weld them so that your torches are straight up and down. Your torches come in at a 1:30 position and blow to a 7:30 position that means your heat goes that way also your going to want your heat right in the center where your metal is gong to be sitting you will save gas and heat your metal faster.
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: osage outlaw on January 12, 2019, 10:02:21 am
Just a little tip, you should remove the feet on your forge and re-weld them so that your torches are straight up and down. Your torches come in at a 1:30 position and blow to a 7:30 position that means your heat goes that way also your going to want your heat right in the center where your metal is gong to be sitting you will save gas and heat your metal faster.

I was told to have them come in at an angle like that to get the heat swirling around the chamber.
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: KHalverson on January 12, 2019, 01:11:16 pm
looks good with the refractory cement.
it should keep the inswool stabilized very well.
if your gonna forge weld ya might wanna put a hard fire brick in the bottom as a sacrificial floor.
flux will break down some refractory materials.
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: osage outlaw on January 12, 2019, 01:28:43 pm
I will have extra refractory left over.  I was going to build some forms and make a few bricks from it to use as a replaceable floor.  I'm going to do a second coat of refractory and then the IR reflective coating.   
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: osage outlaw on January 16, 2019, 04:44:30 pm
I did a second layer of the refractory cement today.  I added extra to the bottom to make a flat surface.  I will need to let it dry out for a good while before moving on to the final step.  It's almost finished.  I have 4 lbs of refractory left.  I should be able to make several bricks for the bottom.

(https://i.imgur.com/GJVYjOX.jpg)
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: KHalverson on January 16, 2019, 04:54:02 pm
that looks really good!
im watching this with anticipation cause I need to build a new forge.
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: bjrogg on January 18, 2019, 09:28:22 am
that looks really good!
im watching this with anticipation cause I need to build a new forge.


me to
bjrogg
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: osage outlaw on January 24, 2019, 06:54:52 pm
I ran out of propane trying to go through the curing steps the other day.  I got a new tank and started again today.  This thing will put out some serious heat.  I need to do another heat tomorrow and then it's ready for the IR coating.  That is the last step. 

(https://i.imgur.com/ZkIA9cL.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/MfbtvaF.jpg)


After shutting it off the inside glows

(https://i.imgur.com/MXTZkCM.jpg)


I took some of the left over refractory and made a brick to put in the bottom of the forge. 

(https://i.imgur.com/NE0SHvC.jpg)

Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: osage outlaw on January 24, 2019, 06:57:43 pm
Here is a short video of it running.

ht  tps://youtu.be/cfu5TIl4dHU
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: Pat B on January 24, 2019, 08:25:54 pm
Clint, you better bolt that thing to the workbench. Looks like it will heat something up in no time...and heat your shop.
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: osage outlaw on January 24, 2019, 08:45:09 pm
I need to tune it down a little Pat.  I had the regulator wide open.
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: Hawkdancer on January 24, 2019, 10:42:21 pm
That is some serious fire! (f). No problem heating up a cup of coffee!  Got an ultra high heat thermometer!  Nice job!
Hawkdancer
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: osage outlaw on January 25, 2019, 03:35:35 pm
I turned the pressure down on the regulator and did some tuning on the air plates.  I think this looks better.

(https://i.imgur.com/2vqJvkU.jpg)


Didn't take too long to get this chunk of steel glowing

(https://i.imgur.com/aGL2W7l.jpg)
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: bjrogg on January 25, 2019, 04:55:34 pm
Looking forward to seeing all the many projects that come out of that forge. I'm gonna bring you some scrap steel to Marshall Clint. I want to see you turn plow shares into swords.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: KHalverson on January 25, 2019, 05:17:55 pm
that looks like its working real good.

cant wait to see what ya forge up 1st.
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: osage outlaw on January 26, 2019, 10:33:22 am
Looking forward to seeing all the many projects that come out of that forge. I'm gonna bring you some scrap steel to Marshall Clint. I want to see you turn plow shares into swords.
Bjrogg

Sounds good BJ.  I'm not sure what a plow share is but I'll see what I can do with one. 
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: osage outlaw on January 26, 2019, 10:34:29 am
that looks like its working real good.

cant wait to see what ya forge up 1st.


I'll do some practicing with it first.  For my first project I want to make a knife for an upcoming elk hunt. 
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: KHalverson on January 26, 2019, 11:25:50 am
that looks like its working real good.

cant wait to see what ya forge up 1st.


I'll do some practicing with it first.  For my first project I want to make a knife for an upcoming elk hunt.


time to learn about critical anneal.

stress relieving.

and thermo cycling to reduce grain structure.


1 of the most important things to remember while working with high carbon steel is to strike while the iron is hot.


Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: osage outlaw on January 26, 2019, 11:47:51 am
I have been annealing and thermo cycling the stock removal knives I've made so far.    I still need to cut a base for my anvil and move it to my garage.  I want to get that done as soon as the weather improves.
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: Hawkdancer on January 26, 2019, 10:23:50 pm
Say, What!  -10f and a -40 wind chill is mild!  If you're crazy as a loon (S) >:D!  I've been uncomfortable in  the garage at +60F!  I know what you mean!
Hawkdancer
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: Hawkdancer on January 26, 2019, 10:36:55 pm
Do we get to see the puppy at MoJam?  I can bring a file and some spring steel, also got a froe  to straighten! (f) >:D
Hawkdancer
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: osage outlaw on February 04, 2019, 06:46:44 pm
It's too big and heavy to haul to Mojam.  I have leftover supplies.  I might make a smaller travel size forge if I find the right size shell.


I finally finished the last step.  It's officially done now.  I added the IR reflective coating to the inside.  This stuff is called Metrikote.  It's supposed to reflect the heat back into the forge.  It allows the forge to heat up faster and saves gas.   

(https://i.imgur.com/S3JGnhJ.jpg)


I also coated the brick I made for the bottom of the forge.

(https://i.imgur.com/uvXoEq5.jpg)


I was going to cut a base for my anvil today but the rain cancelled those plans.  I cut up a few small burls today for knife scales.  This one was from a mystery tree root.  It has some amazing grain and color.  I am going to send it off to be stabilized before using it. 

(https://i.imgur.com/gOji2oW.jpg)
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: Hawkdancer on February 04, 2019, 11:06:08 pm
Looking at the finished product, I see why you used a 20# bottle!  A 30# would need 2 men and a boy, and a winch to move!  Looks like it gets the steel plenty hot in a reasonable time!
Hawkdancer
Title: Re: Making a gas forge
Post by: bjrogg on February 06, 2019, 04:52:53 am
Forge looks great Clint. So do those burls. I think some really nice stuff is going to come from them both in the future. I'll be watching. (-P
Bjrogg