I have a small 'two brick' forge heated by MAPP gas using a Hot Head torch (Hot Head Torch Head), which is used for lamp working.

I would like to get the brick a little hotter. I can get small pieced up to a yellow heat with a little time and if I partially cover the ends with some small pieces of fire brick. I would like to be able to get that hot a little quicker and would like to try and be able to reach a welding heat.

Would getting a different torch head make a difference? Any suggestions on a torch head I could try? Due to space limitations I will have to keep using the 1lb sized MAPP containers and I don't have the ability to fabricate anything myself, if it involves anything more complicated than LEGOS (drilling, welding, etc.) I don't have the tools/space.

Thanks for any help!

Here is a web site that may help with your small forge ideas, Zoeller Forge Home Page Gas Forge parts, Atmospheric Burners, and Blacksmithing , he has a coffee can forge and a smaller one made from a large bean can or some such thing. I don't remember if it can go to welding temps or not with bottled gas but you can forge with it. He has plans for all kinds of atmospheric gas burners that don't require a great amount of skill, after all I have built them before I had much skill and they worked. So take a look around Larry's web site and make a Coffee Can Forge.:cool:

No hand drill, tin snips, pliers, etc?

That makes it a bit of a challenge doesn't it?

I'd still go with a bean can forge if I had to buy a couple hand tools. You can cut a can with a sharp chisel, make holes for pop rivets with a nail and hammer, etc. Pretty low tech but quite doable.

You'd be amazed at what 2" of Kaowool will do for the internal temp of a small forge. A Bernzomatic torch is supposed to be able to hit welding temps in a small enough volume but I've never tried it.

That's what I'd make if I had to go sub-compact.

Frosty