New gas forge (Version 0.2, some pics)

[MonkeyForge]

I finally found a container for my ceramic wool. (could only find aluminium stove pipe and chromed stainless steel tubing for awhile). And I wanted to share my progress, see what you think.

The shell is an old flour bucket, 22 CM diameter 30 cm deep. I cut it lengthwise. On the inside I put 2 layers of 2.6 Cm ceramic wool (128 Kg/Cubic M), rigidezed, cured and then kiln washed (rigidizer/water, 75% zirconium silicate, 25% Kaolin clay) after air drying the kiln wash I fired up the forge. After that the inside had set and I applied another layer of the wash.

For a floor I use a ceramic kiln shelf coated with the same wash. (which is 1 cm thick, I will replace it with 0.5 cm thick shelf) The burner is the 1/2 inch T burner that I built earlier.

I wanted to go with a vaulted design but ended up with something between vaulted and oval because I needed to fit the 2 layers of wool all around.

I am still playing around with the burner position, I put it a bit to far back but I should be able to aim it a bit forward still. The first 10 minutes the back 2/3 are even heat and the front a bit cooler. after about 20/30 minutes I can use the front to get to forging temp as well.

Pop rivets are my new favorite fastener.

[Frosty]

Looks pretty good, how do you like it? With the back closed a better alignment for the burner would be closer to the front angled slightly to the back. It's not really an issue and too late to change now. I have a bunch that are a little off or backwards and yours looks like it works fine. Some of mine were just efficient ways to use up good material.

Nice job.

Frosty The Lucky.

[MonkeyForge]

I like it the fact that it takes some time to heat all the way to the front is ok. I prefer long stock, work the end and cut. Use my hands, rather than tongs, if I can. If I have something shorter I can use tongs. When I get the thinner kiln shelf in I'll have a bit more space for the work piece and for hot burning gas. The shell gets pretty hot pretty fast (it's pretty thin) but that is ok since I am not touching it.

All in all for a first attempt (after the brick forges) I'm quite happy with the outcome.

I might get some dragons breath pictures tomorrow, just for completeness. (and because pictures of fire)

[MonkeyForge]

As promised, some pictures of fire. I made a couple of knife blanks (not very pretty but I will show later). I only have some thin stock at the moment (see picture) but after leaving it in the fire chamber for about 2 minutes it is a yellow hot.

[Frosty]

Looks good from here. The dragon's breath is a little orange so it's burning a little rich. Rich will keep it from scaling in the forge but is producing higher CO levels, Install a CO monitor and mind the ventilation, CO (Caron Monoxide) is a silent killer.

Frosty The Lucky.

[MonkeyForge]

Frosty: CO monitor is always a good idea, though I only use the forge outside in the open air. (which is challenging in rainy country).

I have been able to forge quite a bit lately, mostly knife blanks and just practising drawing/tapering. I have been using an old sledge hammer as anvil, as well as a paving tile.

[Frosty]

Paving tile? Sledge hammer heads work just fine for an anvil, especially for blades. Anvils that size have been used for such for thousands of years.

I tend to always mention CO and monitors to new gas forge users.

Frosty The Lucky.

[MonkeyForge]

The face of the hammer needed flattening the tile was heavy and flat. I flattened the hammer face since, works a charm now I'm drifting away from the topic here ...