complete newb question

[VashTheStampede]

Howdy guys and gals~

I am looking to do a bit of "blacksmithing" to support another hobby and I have a real quick question for you all.

First, the other hobby: I sculpt with polymer clays. I would like to design/create more tools, as those I have don't always meet my needs. I could go and buy some nice sets but again, I'm not guaranteed to have what I want/need. So why not have some fun making my own? (I am prepared for failures and doing things over a few times )

I would like to make these tools using steel rod. My question is this: if I am using 1/8 inch – 1/4 inch steel rod, can I heat the metal up to sufficient temperatures using a simple propane torch?

Thanks in advance.

(Off to the gallery to see what you guys are making…)

[blafen]

you might be able to heat the 1/8th in rod but not the 1/4 in and it would take a long time to get them hot enough. unless you built a single refractory brick forge just a refractory brick with a tube into which you place your steel and another smaller hole to put the torch into i have made a forg like this and used it to heat 1/2 rebar to orange heat with a propane torch. and for higher temps/faster heats try mapp gas.

[Mike Turner]

I agree the refractory brick forge and mapps gas would be the your best bet and would also be cheap to do.

[skunkriv]

There was a guy a few yrs ago that came up with a "bean can forge". I saw this in a newsletter. He took large bean can (I guess about 4" in diam, not gettin up to look) and lined it with refractory blanket (kaowool, durablanket etc).
He then stuck the tip of a plain jane propane torch (not the smaller, self igniting kind) through a hole in the side of the can. You could have a 3/4" hole in the opposite end of the can to pass longer lengths through but that end should be covered with a layer of the isulation also. This would get your rod hot enough and heat up quite a bit quicker than brick. Brick would work just fine too.

[chainsaw]

Vash, check this out.. nice washtub forge by Tim Lively
Charcoal Forge

enjoy..

[chainsaw]

also this:
http://www.anvilfire.com/21centbs/fo...icrofrg.htmhis..

[ApprenticeMan]

Make one of these, it will heat up to 1/2 inch steel bar.



Mini Forge


Oh, AND WELCOME TO THE FOLD, MWUAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAAAAAAA!!!!!!!1

[VashTheStampede]

Wow, thanks guys. i have some reading to do. the "bean can" forge is similar to what is used for Raku pottery. very intersting. i KNOW i could make that one. will have to read up on the others.

Thanks for responding to my question so... nicely. Always been intersted in blacksmithing, but at this point I'm trying hard to keep from adding it to my rather long list of hobbies. Hoping to keep it simply to tool making...

[skunkriv]

Ed Halligan's Bean-O-Matic Forge

This addy will take you to the original article and gives credit to the inventor Ed Halligan. They say the original drawing is lost but you'll get the idea. WARNING... a lot of smiths got started just "wanting to make a few tools" for woodworking or whatever. You may already have turned down the path to becoming a blacksmith. Welcome. Remove one marble after completion of your forge.

[VashTheStampede]

super. Thanks. In all honesty i like just making things. Blacksmithing may end up being another tool to do just that.

but i have to be honest... i dont get the bit about the marble. (I'm at the younger end of the specturm, would that be the reason?)