WY_Not

Hard brick.

The firebricks are a Vogelzan brand brick. They were picked up somewhere along the line (probably on sale) and are meant to be used to replace bricks inside a fireplace and have a rating up to 2200 degrees. I've been reading. Finding specific info is not going well though. Lots of different opinions and frankly contradictory information. Not asking to be spoon fed the info, was simply presenting the info and materials I had gathered so far and looking for some feedback. I've been reading from many sources and trying to piece together the info needed. But gas forges are a completely new creature for me. Everything I've done in the last year so so has been on a coal forge. I'm not ignoring anything. There have been good suggestions in this thread. I was focused on copying the Zoeller design with the bricks I have, the suggestion by timgunn1962 to back them with additional insulation was helpful. it got me to step back and take another look. This led to the idea of doubling up the sides to bring the interior dimensions back down and possibly doubling the top and bottom to get the equivalent thickness on those walls as well. Thanks, lanternate. Still trying to figure out why some burners have a flare and some don't.

Sweet.41 views and not even a cranky RTFM. Anyway, finally got out to the garage to check and it is the refractory cement that I have. So, it will be used to "paint" the interior of the chamber.

Over the last few months I've been gathering the pieces to assemble a firebrick forge as seen on Zoeller Forge website. The bricks I have are not as thick though; 9" x 4-1/2" x 1-1/4" as opposed to 9" x 4-1/2" x 2-1/2". So, the chamber is a little larger at 263-1/4 cubic inches. I've got either Castable Refractory Cement or Outdoor Fireplace Firebrick Mortar to paint the interior of the chamber and possibly between the bricks. Sorry, don't remember which one I have and not at home at the moment to check. Final piece was two of the Atlas Knife 30k burners; last week. This will be my first forge but definitely not the last. Just looking to get my feet wet as it were and get something built with materials on hand that will heat metal so I can pound on it at home rather than driving in to town for the club's open forge night each week. Won't be doing any forge welding at this time so not worried about flux eating the bricks, Will the cement or mortar help hold the heat and/or protect the bricks? Or is it just for joining bricks? If anyone has experience with the 30k burners will one of them be sufficient? Does the 30k burner need any kind of flare on the end? Was also thinking about threading the end of the burner and attaching a short piece of pipe that could be changed if it gets damaged. Good idea? Bad idea? Any input or suggestions will be much appreciated. In the meantime I'll continue reading through the posts on this site. Thanks, WY_Not aka Joseph Mod note: links removed

Just a quick intro. Took a basic blacksmithing class last January and REALLY enjoyed it. No, I'm not one of those Forged in Fire flash in the pans. Got interested in blacksmithing WAAAY back as a kid in the '80s after watching some smith's work in the shop behind the machine shop where my Dad worked. Have just never had the opportunity to pursue it. Have worked as a machinist, an avionics tech, and currently a tech writer. After taking the class I've been going to open forge nights at the club (Southern Ohio Forge and Anvil, aka SOFA) and also acquiring the pieces I needed to be able to pound on hot metal in my garage. Have the hammer and a number of tools from class as well as previous careers. Bought the makings of a gas forge (except for the burner) before Christmas. Was nearly floored when my parents bought me an anvil for Christmas this year. Ordered two burners last week (arrived on Monday). Hoping the weather warms up enough this weekend so I can get out in the garage and start putting things together.