New gas regulator / 1st forge weld

[larrynjr]

Thanks Frosty, I'll give it a try and let you all know how it goes!

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by larrynjr

Thanks Frosty, I'll give it a try and let you all know how it goes!

My pleasure Larry.

Another solution if you think solder won't hold is to tap the hole and install a set screw with some high temp locktight to seal it.

I still don't think solder's a problem in this application but just thought of putting a screw plug in the hole and thought it worth a mention.

Frosty

[Rich Hale]

When I built a forge I had to try several jet sizes to get it right. When I went too far and drilled too large a hole I would solder the hole shut and redrill it smaller,, worked fine. however after useing the forge for long periods then turning it off the solder would melt out. When the forge is running and gas is flowing it worked I think the gas kept the solder cool enough to stay intact. I believe you could braze that and it would work. Or plug like suggested above.

[Frosty]

A good thing to do whenever building a gun burner is run the mixing tube around a 90* bend after introducing the gas. This does several things:

First, it really aids in mixing the air and gas. Propane and air do not mix well without some extra turbulence.

Second, it reduces (not eliminates) the chances of a backfire. Flame fronts don't like going around corners, they will but they don't like it.

Third, it lets you put the blower and gas jet where convection won't heat it up when you shut it down.

Fourth, It allows a more compact design by letting you put the blower in the stand under the forge furnace.

No problem running it around more than one bend as long as you don't get too carried away. Each bend will require more pressure from the blower to overcome the backpressure but one or two won't effect it much.

Frosty

[larrynjr]

So here is what I ended up doing with that piece of pipe. I tried soldering it but wasn't satisfied with the results so decided to give this a go instead. I drilled the air pipe all the way through then passed the jet pipe all the way through so that the original hole is centered (more or less) and the pipe itself acts as a gas / air mixer.

So the net effect is that I'm running at a higher pressure, about 10lbs. and should be lower volumne but I have no way to acurately guage that. The flame torch as it burns inside the forge is blue and the forge is a bright orange heat with little dragonsbreath unless I close the air intake on the fan all the way. The air intake is closed 4/5th of the way. I didn't have time to try it last night but I'm guessing to get that white hot welding heat again, I would need to either increase the pressure to increase the volumne of gas or to enlarge the jet hole to get more volumne. Overall I'm pleased with the current results, as I'm getting a more consistent fire.

[Glenn]

When you get everything running to your satisfaction, make the changes permanent, by removing solder from the equation. With the heat generated from the forge, it may be just enough to melt the solder and things could get ugly real fast. Think of it as solving a safety issue, and being safe.

[larrynjr]

actually there is no solder in the equation at all at this point. I removed the solder from the original jet hole and am using that jet in this setup.