Naz Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 What are you using to light up your gas forge ? I use a welding flint lighter and sometimes have a hard time lighting up especially when the forge is cold. I crack open the gas valve and chick,ckick,chick, chick, whooooooosh !!!! Give or take a few chicks, It can be quite scary at times . I used to light the forge with a long BBQ lighter and had the same problem. Anyone have a solution for this ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 I use my propane plumber torch. Good hot flame to reach in to the burner and burns off excess. Also have a smaller butane torch that has its own igniter. First I open tank valve. Then I light the torch and aim into forge THEN, and ONLY then, I open the gas valve to the burner. I have a spark plug and BBQ igniter installed on my blown burner forge but same thing as you described; "chick,ckick,chick, chick, whooooooosh !!!!" OR even BOOOM! Yes, scary, in deed! I have even blown the back door plug (Piece of Inswool stuffed in the rear opening) out!! I have not had that issue since I started using the torch. I have a naturally aspirated forge too and both light without issue using butane or propane torch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Plumber's torch. I have a ball valve on the fuel supply, so I set my pressure, then light the torch, stick it in the door, open the ball valve. Never had drama or misbehaving, I always get HISS...WOOOSSSSHHH about how long it took to read that. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
double_edge2 Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 I light a small rag or tissue scrunched up, throw it in the furnace, then allow some gas..... I like the auto light idea, using a spark plug with ht circuit, or coil and ponts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbruce Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 A balled up piece of paper works........the WOOSH no longer bothers me..........I simply close my eyes when I hold the lighter to it......makes me look as if I have nerves of steel....... B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don't tread on me Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Plumbers torch, But I ran out of propane for it, I'll have to get some more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 When the igniter for my gas forge broke, I went to Lowes and bought a propane BBQ grill igniter that I used until the proper replacement igniter arrived in the mail. Igniters are nice and convenient, and allow the gas line to be turned off to conserve gas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WmHorus Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 With my Atmo forge I use as the others do a small torch of some kind or another, and with the blower forge I use a piece of paper light it and stick it in and turn on the propane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teenylittlemetalguy Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Lately I am partial to a lit piece of the local penny press classified ad tool section. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigred1o1 Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 i have to admit i like the thump when the forge lights i just use a long bbq lighter in my book knuckle hair is over rated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naz Posted October 2, 2011 Author Share Posted October 2, 2011 Thanks for answering guys, I went with the plumber's torch. Lit the forge twice today (with the plumber's torch). I lit the torch, aimed the fire in the forge and opened the forge valve. A smooth "swoosh" was heard and I was ready to go ! Thanks again ! Naz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I use a wooden kitchen match, I light it and stand it against the forge wall and then go turn on the gas. No problem! If it goes out I then will light another and toss it at the forge, whompfh, and we're cooking with gas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kraythe Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 I use a bow drill. Just put your board down, whip up a coal, put it in the forge and turn on the gas slowly while blowing the coal. Seriously ... OA torch sparker And I am now imagining how a spark plug ends would melt in my forge. Eww. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 The spark plug gets installed in the mixing tube *upstream* from where the flame holder is and so when it lights the fame is blown down the tube till it gets to the proper area. So in my forge the spark plug would currently be seeing temps below zero F---you get much metal melting at that temp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kraythe Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 The spark plug gets installed in the mixing tube *upstream* from where the flame holder is and so when it lights the fame is blown down the tube till it gets to the proper area. So in my forge the spark plug would currently be seeing temps below zero F---you get much metal melting at that temp? I dont think that would work with a ribbon burner. That is what I currently use to power my forge. I am reworking the forge though because borax from doing a crapload of cable has sort of dissolved the insides. I am thinking of having a disposable pan of sorts in the forget this time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nonjic Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 I use the yellow card that ear plugs are packed in, light it, stand it in forge door and then crack the gas. Why the yellow card ear plugs come in? it does not light very well with cig lighter..... but my patternwelding started to improve when I used the yellow card for the first time to light the forge, the logical bit of me knows there is no association, the logical bit of me also knows that if I use the yellow packaging to light the forge my welding is good that session. Since I always have yellow card from the earplugs I use it! this is how superstitions start :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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