RogueRugger Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 I expect to have access to a reasonable quantity of misc size soapstone slabs. I know Mr Powers has some experience with these in a solid fuel forge, and I know soapstone was used in Viking forges as a backstone. However, I was wondering if anyone has experience with more extensive use as an alternative to firebricks in a coal (or even gas) forge? Thoughts on minimum thickness? If it was a reasonable application, I was contemplating exploring how to carve some celtic designs, etc on the stone face. (If it ever stops snowing here and I get my blower working and get some new coal, sigh) ...Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rburrus44 Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Sorry can't help with your actual question but where are you getting your coal from and what are you paying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swedefiddle Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Soapstone is the best material for heat retention in Fireplaces, they come from Finland. How Soapstone would work in a gas forge? Try it, you might like it. It might be a wash-out :) :) :) Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Soap stone has a high specific heat so it will take a lot of fuel just to heat the forge liner. This isn't a problem for a coal forge as the fire and steel is basically in the open covered only by fuel. It's good points are it's darned fire resistant and seems pretty impervious to thermal shock. The high specific heat and rather slow conduction rate means it holds heat well and radiates it uniformly. Makes for very nice wood and coal heaters. Chemically is a different issue, it's the same stuff as asbestos differing by it's higher molecular water content, another mineral that has a higher molecular water content but the same chemical analysis is jadite and jade. Alaskan native soapstone carvers tend to die earlier than most from mesothelioma, the cancer resulting from asbestosis. Some soapstones are safer than others to carve. I'll stick with Kaowool, fire brick, castable refractories and kiln washes. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogueRugger Posted January 24, 2015 Author Share Posted January 24, 2015 Sorry can't help with your actual question but where are you getting your coal from and what are you paying? Sent PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogueRugger Posted January 24, 2015 Author Share Posted January 24, 2015 Soap stone has a high specific heat so it will take a lot of fuel just to heat the forge liner. This isn't a problem for a coal forge as the fire and steel is basically in the open covered only by fuel. It's good points are it's darned fire resistant and seems pretty impervious to thermal shock. The high specific heat and rather slow conduction rate means it holds heat well and radiates it uniformly. Makes for very nice wood and coal heaters. Chemically is a different issue, it's the same stuff as asbestos differing by it's higher molecular water content, another mineral that has a higher molecular water content but the same chemical analysis is jadite and jade. Alaskan native soapstone carvers tend to die earlier than most from mesothelioma, the cancer resulting from asbestosis. Some soapstones are safer than others to carve. I'll stick with Kaowool, fire brick, castable refractories and kiln washes. Frosty The Lucky. Thanks for the tip; didn't realize the talc in the soapstone was a problem. Good to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.