Gabe Santoriello

Wow this was incredibly helpful information. Thank you all!

Hmm okay. I could try hitting it harder... what color should the steel be when attempting to hot cut?

Thank you frosty. I wasn’t sure what the usefulness of the I beam would be. That being said after hitting the hot leaf spring on it several times it didn’t deform at all. is the issue simply that I needs to be even harder? Because it’s not like it marred or damaged the edge I put on the I beam in any way. as for the color, it was a bright orange. Thanks, Gabe

Hey guys, so I’m just starting working on leaf spring and I wanted to make a hot cut tool to use to cut pieces off/ to shape. I had a piece of I-beam that I spent most of the day grinding a single bevel grind into (subtle hollow grind) then proceeded to try and hammer the hot Leaf spring on top of it. It barely scratched it... happy to include pics if that might help. Any thoughts as to why this might not have worked? I didn’t make the edge razor sharp for fear of losing the edge but it’s relatively sharp. My Anvil is also a 4 foot piece of heavy I beam so it’s kinda the theme... I didn’t do any kind of heat treatment to the I beam, not really sure what type of steel it is. Anyway thank you all in advance

Thanks Anvil- what does this gas-saver attachment look like? I will certainly look for it I looked it up on Smiths website but I’m not sure at all how it works!

Thank you JHCC.

Right I saw that as well, I apologize for the redundant post. Is there any system to heating it? As in, a low heat for an hour, high heat for 2 min etc?

Haha yes sir! Thanks for the help Frosty

Hey guys, Thank you everyone who has already helped with me setting up my forge. I believe I’m in pretty good shape- the only thing I’m finding I’m missing right now is how to treat the rigidizer before moving on the applying the kastolite. the rigidizer is called “refractory coating rigidizer for ceramic fiber blanket” came with my devil forge. I buttered my kaowool, put it on and it’s had plenty of time to dry. Anybody know what the next step is? Not sure if I’m supposed to set up the burners and apply some heat, or simply butter and move on to the kastolite? Thank you all in advance Gabe

Whew! A lot to take in! Thank you everybody. It seems the best bet would be to 'spark' a relationship with a local welding shop and gather some hands on experience.

Thank you dude, that was a fantastic read. Didn't make it super clear on heating but I messaged frosty hopefully he will have the answers

Hey guys! Started the build on my first forge. Very excited! so I applied the rigidizer to my kaowool. It’s been a day and a bit. Do I need to do something to finish it? Such as heat it? Or can I just wait longer? Similar question for after applying the kastolite, do I need to finish it with heat in some way? (Was going to give that about 3 days to be safe. will be finishing with a layer of metrikote. Thank you all in advance

Hey Guys, Thank you all in advance. I am green as grass to forging/blacksmithing and many of you have already helped me with so many questions i have had. The question I have now is where to start with an Oxy/Acetelene torch set up. I would like to have it for several reasons- welding, cutting metal, heating specific points on a piece of stock (or blade) and for soldering with Jewelry. I don't know how important brands are, as well as which heads i need, and where to buy this stuff. Price is of course important, but I will spend a little more than the cheapest option if it is the wise investment decision. Also, relating to the welding portion, is this a good tool for welding?