RToons

Looking for local individuals that have built a forge with propane, build coal forge, built power hammer and press. Would like to talk on phone & depending a visit to their shop.

I have built/rebuild several propane forges and can make knifes & shape metal. I have failed EVERY time when attempting to forge multiple layers of various steels. From truck springs, rebar, lawn mower blade indicating carbon content, black pipe, files, etc.. with borax. I was told by elderly smith that propane will not reach temp required to weld together. I see the metal is white hot yet he said not likely.

Considering lump coal  for new forge I want to build. I have truck break drum I plan to use. HELP!

Looking to Visit forges In Freedom, Baden, Ambridge, Cranberry twp PA

Did you see the new photo I added to the HELP... discussion. I think I followed your T burner plans correctly. It appears to work good?

Looked at associates forge today! He does NOT forge but STOCK REMOVAL. He buys 1095 Annealed, shapes his knifes, Heats treats with coal then places in oven at 450 for 1 hour lets cool slowly then repeat one more time. He said this is to take brittle out of heat treated knife? Have you heard of this before?

I am still not sure coal is for me due to it burns quick and I am slow & want to FORGE, ie BEAT with hammer to get frustrations out! LolRof. It seems coal is good for heat treat but for in/out to forge metal seems constant attention to fire is required. Where propane allows as much time as I like to heat/beat/heat, etc...

One other question: a magnet NOT sticking to heat treated steel just taken from forge will let you know if heat was enough and eady to quench? 

Your thoughts would be appreciated.