3 replies to this topic

[edge9001]

look around 3:40 this is what got me thinking would a similar setup be able to produce a workable forge? perhaps a homemade one instead of this expensive industrial grade monstrosity.

it looks as is this gas might be plausible for a gas type forge fuel. it seems the same process used to make charcoal would produce this gas and then you could use the same wood to make fuel for a solid fuel forge and a gasser at the same time.

[OddDuck]

It "wood" work like a champ. Take a look at this link: http://www.woodgas.com/history9.htm This is a small gassifier unit that is relatively easy to build and it does work. I built and used one to experiment with, and was able to melt brass and copper with it. If I didn't have about a thousand other projects lined up at the moment, I would be moving forward with my MKII version of a gassifier. I do have an eventual goal of having one that will be powerful enough to reliably melt cast iron.
If you already have a gasser forge, this would just replace propane as the fuel source. The forge design wouldn't change a bit.

[edge9001]

OddDuck, on 02 September 2010 - 06:51 PM, said:

It "wood" work like a champ. Take a look at this link: http://www.woodgas.com/history9.htm This is a small gassifier unit that is relatively easy to build and it does work. I built and used one to experiment with, and was able to melt brass and copper with it. If I didn't have about a thousand other projects lined up at the moment, I would be moving forward with my MKII version of a gassifier. I do have an eventual goal of having one that will be powerful enough to reliably melt cast iron.
If you already have a gasser forge, this would just replace propane as the fuel source. The forge design wouldn't change a bit.

I was hopeing someone "wood" say that. I have both charcoal and propane forges, and Woodgas has looked interesting for a while.

[OddDuck]

A couple of pics of my gassifier from a few years ago:


It does work, but this type has a steep learning curve and will produce copious amounts of smoke when it isn't quite there yet. Also, DON'T use one indoors or without good ventilation, the major gas produced is CO, and it will kill you if you aren't careful. Just had to point that out. I built that unit in a weekend out of junk, which is why it didn't last too long. It did prove the concept, though.