bsiler Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Very, so I found out yesterday afternoon. Had my fire going with coke left from last time I used it. Added some coal around the edges and sprinkled some water on it. I heard a slight pop. Looked around and flames were coming out of the hole of my Champion blower. The first thing I did (like a fool) was grab my water can. Water didn't work. Remembered the fire extinguisher by the door that I had hung there a couple of months ago. One short blast was all it took. Some time ago I had started the forge and there was a very loud pop. That time it blew the hose off of the fire pot. What causes this? Billy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris P Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 In the "New Edge of the Anvil" it is referred to as "blow back" which is a "dull pop or explosion of unburned gases trapped in the fire box." It says its from a lack of air, so maybe crank you blower more after sprinkling the water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBrann Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Sounds like you have coal gas going back through your tuyere, a little touch of air, sometime not, and it ignites with a pop, sometime a loud bag if there is a lot. Coal gas is produces as you heat coal, it is part of the stuff that burns off as the coal cokes. Contains things like methane, xylene, benzene... and lotso of other -anes and -ines, volatile hydrocarbons. 2 things, thing 1 mount you blower ABOVE your tuyere, the gas is denser than air, so can't run up hill. thing 2 give the fire a little air before watering to push the flammable gasses into the fire to burn Fire extinguishers are good to have if things go poorly and you fire gets away from you. Or if you loose a hot piece flying off in the corner and it takes a while to find... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bsiler Posted June 5, 2009 Author Share Posted June 5, 2009 Chris, I have that book and have read that. Thanks for refreshing my memory. CBrann, Thanks for the reply. I have definitely had a learning experience. You have given me things to do and think about. Thanks men, Billy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junksmith Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I would add that keeping a water bucket around in addition to your extinguisher is very important especially if you work inside. Flying bits of hot metal and sparks can retain heat for a longer period of time and re-ignite flammable material easily after the extinguisher has been sprayed. Water was useless in your blowback case, but it is your best bet to rapidly cool red hot material and to saturate anything it is touching. Obviously you want to limit flammables in your shop to begin with - but those hot bits seem to have a knack for finding whatever can burn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Also running steam over hot coke used to be the method they used to produce gas back in gas light days. I've several times had a bit of flame come out of a blower Never saw the need to try to put it out; it dies off quickly on it's own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fat pete Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 (edited) make sure your cranking in the right direction....i put a little arrow on mine...its weird how you can crank, stop cranking and go back start again the other way...i guess it depends where the handle stops and you start ..... when you stop cranking and take your piece out of the fire, sometimes your crank will finish its cycle and stop off center, so the handle is heavier to fall backwards so it will suck a little gass in ... boom! Edited June 5, 2009 by fat pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Next time it happens just keep cranking it'll go out. I have a Champ 400 and it doesn't matter which way I crank it, it blows just the same. Well, I don't know if it's JUST the same, there may be a volume, velocity difference but I can't tell the difference at the fire. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Ahh, you found that blacksmithing CAN be exciting (grin) First time it happened the dog and I both went under the same table. Keep a fire extinguisher by the exit door. You need to be on the way out of the building first, and only then look back and see if the fire can be controlled. A second extinguisher at point of need is good. A 5 gallon bucket of fresh water should be handy beside the forge for burned hands, quenching, small fires, etc. Like the boy scouts say, be prepared for fire in a blacksmith shop, it will happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBrann Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I assumed that a bucket of water would be there as a matter of course... I keep a charged hose ready when I work, as I am outside, and always worry about catching stuff on fire. (Leaves, grass, trees, fire wood, tractor) I use a vacuum cleaner on blow with a rheostat to provide my air, and I had a gas buildup big enough to blow the vacuum cleaner apart. I dove behind a tree it was so loud. 40 minutes later I got my vacuum back together and workng again.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Also, if you keep a sealed can of borax for flux, the borax makes a fine fire extinguisher a handful at a time. Dissolved in water borax is good for making fabric, wood, etc. flame resistant. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy seale Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 also remember(when things happen fast-that's out the window) dumping water on a fire will put it out but it will also produce steam..and that is a powerful energy sorce. so be careful not to have problems in the first place,be prepared and be safe about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnptc Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 also in the bedroom.........my favorite firearms instructor once pointed out to me that you are much more likely to need an extinguisher by the bed than a firearm :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 also in the bedroom.........my favorite firearms instructor once pointed out to me that you are much more likely to need an extinguisher by the bed than a firearm :D You know, this has so many potential ways for me to get kicked off the forum I think I'll just let it slide. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnptc Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 You know, this has so many potential ways for me to get kicked off the forum I think I'll just let it slide. Frosty thanks my better half is thankful for your wise decision :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meinhoutexas Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 just a note to all.The dri chem in those bad boys is verry nasty!Clean all of it up you can as soon as it is safe. I work on aircraft fire ex. with halon ...no mess but not legal to sell to the open public. somthing about the ozone depleting properties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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