Christian Clough

Fantastic. I really appreciate each and everyone one of your responses. Makes me feel a little start struck just about. I kind of had an idea I would get answeress much like the ones given. Sometimes I get to feeling like I'm getting gold fever. Just in a more blacksmithing sort of way.. if that makes any sense.was curious if I could get by with what I had at that moment. In one hand I just want to start heating up some steel and start getting a better relationship with my hammers by pounding on some steel and forming/developing better and better technique . On the other hand I'm not the type of feller to waste anything by poor or unsafe practices.nothing will be started untill I have everything needed, including supplies and a plan with all my steps for fabrication and safety. I swear sometimes I can hear my father's and grandpas voice saying "always measure twice and cut once, or "if you dont do it right the first time you'll end up just having to go back and do it the proper way anyhow ". So again thank you kindly for all y'alls knowledge. Not just in this thread but the other million threads I've read over.. well not millions but slot. I have visited waynecoes site a number of times. Enough to bookmark it for fast access. In which I'll be headed to after submitting this reply. I'll be getting some rigidizer and or fumed silica. Metrikote as well. Am I have quite enough ceramic wool. I can defiantly go with another inch layer. I just wasn't sure if I could get by on just the inch layer. So thank you for clearing that up frosty. Thank you all mikey,binesman,frosty, and Wayne coe.

Good afternoon. First I would like to say thank you for your time also that I am quite new to this website. I have indeed read over many many forums or blogs on here. Aside from all my blacksmithing books, I find this website really informative, educational and also entertaining. I started collecting materials so I can do some smithing in my spare. In which fluctuates throughout the year. I'm pretty sure I can build this new forge I have in mind. I am just looking for more experienced advice and criticism from some of the Pro's around this website. So if anyone has any input it would be appreciated very much. Questions 1. I have seen many forge shells. In which vary in wall thickness. From thin sheet metal to 1/4 inch or so thick. I have a few 16 gauge 12x24 inch sheets of mild steel. I want to make a Mobil unit. One I can take anywhere without too much hassle. Is 16 gauge realistic to make a forge shell with? 2. I have 2600°F rated ceramic wool insulation. 1x12x24 blankets. I want to wrap 1 piece around the side walls and floor of the forge. Placing a fire brick on the floor of the forge but on top of the layer of ceramic wool. Making a U shape with a brick in the middle pretty much. I would like to be able to forge weld eventually. That's why I planned for putting a fire brick at the bottom. As I've read fluxes eat ceramic insulation like no ones business. Would 1 inch of this ceramic wool be ok for this forge? with the outside dimensions being 7x7x12 and the inside dimensions with both C.W and fire brick coming to 3.5x5x12 inches. I believe that's a total inside volume of 210 cubic inches. Small enough to use a single atmospheric burner. 3. Now. I just got a pint of ITC-100HT shipped here. I do not want to waste a single gram of this stuff though. So I'm just trying to make absolutely sure I plan this out as well as I can. Treating ceramic wool is a must. Especially from the horrific things I've read about not using it properly. To treat or prep my insulation. I need to seal the c.w. do I NEED rigidizer? Is it a must have or can it be worked around. HYPOTHETICALLY could I use hi temp stove and furnace cement made into a slurry or watery paste to sort of paint over the ceramic wool with. Until desired thickness is met. Or should I order something that specifically says refractory cement? All I have locally unfortunately is imperial hi temp furnace and stove cement and some Rutland fireplace cement. Both temp ratings are a bit different. In which doesn't make me feel very confident in really using. But that's why I am here asking you guys and gals. I've herd of plistix, kast-o-lite, k bond, satanite etc 4. What is the difference between refractory cement and furnace cement? 5. Could I use itc-100ht by itself to rigidize and or seal the ceramic wool? Or would that not be enough protection. 6. I have heard about gas forges needing a draft for better functioning. I have designed a basic shell with open ends. Openings being 3.5x5 inches. Could I just use firebricks to close the openings. Or would insulated doors be a better option? I have a possible sketch or draft of doors for my forge. The front door would be have an opening of 2x5 and the backside opening being 1x5. I figured I could plug the access openings up if I needed to by using firebricks. I tried uploading some drawings I have made of the forge I would like to make. I apologize for the lengthy questions. I understand not everyone likes to read novels. But genuinely appreciate your time and appreciate any feedback you may have.