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I Forge Iron

RSantore

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  • Gender
    Male
  • Location
    Syracuse, New York
  • Interests
    Casting, Jewelry, and really any blacksmithing/ metalwork

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  1. Alright, I will definitely contact someone. I made this post to knock myself off of my pedestal more than anything else
  2. I went to the breaker box, the dryer connection is a 60amp (doubled 30). As for feet/ legs, I always wear leather steel toe work boots, and the apron covers down to the tops of those, however if you guys thing I should wear something specific to my legs, I could look into that as well. As for kilns and induction forges, I have looked into those a little bit, the induction setup is a bit beyond my electrical know how, so I didn't want to go that route, and an electric kiln is something that I also plan to make, eventually. I do some ceramics on the side, so having a dedicated kiln would be pretty cool for that. I would be making my own bronze, I don't like dealing with unknown alloys for the exact reason you stated. I haven't checked that forum out yet, but I certainly will now, thanks for the tip.
  3. Yeah, I was thinking about the duty cycle when I first got the idea, 65% is at the maximum 160amps. But I should probably try to contact the manufacturer to see what I'd need to bump it down to to get a 100% duty cycle, just to play it safe. Chances are the first prototype is gonna be pretty small (maybe 1 or 2 kg capacity) so I won't need to worry about cranking it up very high, but later iterations will likely require a better welder.
  4. The dryer connection I plan to use is a 230V connection installed recently by an electrician for a different (albeit oddly similar) purpose of powering a water heater for my dad's brewing setup, not 100% sure what it's rated amperage is, but I believe it is 100amp, and a trip to the breaker box should resolve that pretty quickly. I know that is all up to code, as well. As far as I am aware (which is admittedly from the standpoint of a hobbyist, not an electrician) I just need to worry about what the welder is designed to pull, as it will prevent itself from drawing anything more than that. I forgot to mention what I got for electrodes; 10x100mm graphite electrodes (they are meant for electric arc type stuff)
  5. Hey guys, I'm pretty new here, but I have been fiddling with metal for a few years now. Anyways, I'm looking into making a graphite electrode arc furnace, using a 115/230V 160amp stick welder as a power supply (65% duty cycle). I primarily want to use it to melt metals like copper and bronze (steel being a stretch goal with more experience) for casting. And I'd like to hear advice for this little project before I really get started; safety, things to look out for, etc. Suggestions on reading material would also be greatly appreciated. Currently my prospective setup is like this: Outside (fume ventilation is not something I want to deal with as much) 230V dryer plug for power (to allow most efficient use of my welder) PPE: leather apron polycarbonate safety glasses face shield (or welding mask/ #5 goggles, depending on how bright things get) respirator (using NIOSH P100 filters) welding gloves I'm probably going to buy some soft refactory brick for the inner chamber, with a welded steel frame to hold it together sand casting Bronze and copper at first, with experience and a lot more knowledge, I might try steel at some point. I don't have much interest in brass, especially with the hazards of zinc I mostly want to do cast works, things like reproduction bronze age swords and art pieces. I have no intent to try to use this as a forge. I have a bit of experience with coal/charcoal forges and I've done a bit of small casting with that, but it's not very efficient, so I want to make an upgrade (and give myself a good project for winter break) I don't know how much of you guys have dabbled with arc furnaces, but I figured it was worth a shot.
  6. 1) Bobby Santore 2) Syracuse, NY 3) Just starting out with blacksmithing, but I've been trying to make some tooling to build up skills. I started metalworking with jewelry (mostly copper). 4) I started out a few months ago 5) A plate of steel I scrapped off an abandoned railroad and affixed to a 4x4 sunk into a bucket of concrete (it's really awful) 6) My first forge was (is?) a wooden crate that I lined with cinder blocks and a cat litter/ plaster mix it's falling apart after a few months, so I think it's time to get to #2 7) youtube for sure, a buddy of mine started with me and we try to keep in touch about it, and I met a couple local guys, who have all been very accommodating and nice 8) I have yet to have an attitude changing event, but right now I like the craft 9) an angle grinder 10) find local smiths, there is nothing like having a couple guys to hang out with and just talk shop, they will give you some of the best advice, and always seem to be willing to share in my experience. 11) Be open to newcomers, the only way to keep the craft going is to help out the new guys. 12) I have lit myself on fire twice (thank god for good ppe) 1) Bobby Santore 2) Syracuse, NY 3) Just starting out with blacksmithing, but I've been trying to make some tooling to build up skills. I started metalworking with jewelry (mostly copper). 4) I started out a few months ago 5) A plate of steel I scrapped off an abandoned railroad and affixed to a 4x4 sunk into a bucket of concrete (it's really awful) 6) My first forge was (is?) a wooden crate that I lined with cinder blocks and a cat litter/ plaster mix it's falling apart after a few months, so I think it's time to get to #2 7) youtube for sure, a buddy of mine started with me and we try to keep in touch about it, and I met a couple local guys, who have all been very accommodating and nice 8) I have yet to have an attitude changing event, but right now I like the craft 9) an angle grinder 10) find local smiths, there is nothing like having a couple guys to hang out with and just talk shop, they will give you some of the best advice, and always seem to be willing to share in my experience. 11) Be open to newcomers, the only way to keep the craft going is to help out the new guys. 12) I have lit myself on fire twice (thank god for good ppe)
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