beef56 Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 I am torn between buying a forge and building one. I would love to build one but I seem to think I need one now. I have an arc welder, acetylene torch, grinders, etc so I do have the equipment to make my own forge. I was looking at Diamond back but found a Bladesmith that is made by Thermal Art Design in Seattle. It looks ok to me but I was wondering if anyone has had any experience or thoughts on this product. Thanks in advance! The forge carcass and burners are constructed from steel 3 times as thick as the average forges on the market. The refractory materials are of the highest quality and over rated for these forges to ensure a long time of use. Ceramic fiber which lines the entire chamber including under the hearth is rated for 2600 degrees. The hearth is 3200 degree refractory cement which has been cast into a mold on a vibration table to ensure it is super strong and durable. The hearth is then treated in a kiln according to the manufacturer’s specifications to be properly cured. All forges are fired and tested before shipping. Rather than using a flat hearth (seen on some high end name brand forges to low end low price makes) the forge uses a concave hearth which has been dynamically sized to each model of forge to provide maximum heat retention. The hearth refractory currently used stands up as the most flux corrosion resistant material I have found and the drop in design makes replacing it effortless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey98118 Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 The Diamondback has been around a long time; I don't agree with the guy's politics, but his product is sound. The bladesmith forge, and especially its burners, are built to LOOK nice; not work nice. Enough said? Also, no commercial forge is completely turn-key as it comes out of its box. You would be well advised to read the Forges 101 thread, whether or not you buy your forge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beef56 Posted March 20, 2018 Author Share Posted March 20, 2018 Thanks for the information Mikey. I will check out 101, maybe it will help me decide, if I build, whether to buy a burner or build one. It sounds like a purchased burner may me more efficient, especially for a novice build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneCoeArtistBlacksmith Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 Check out the Build a Gas Forge. You can build a better forge for less money. Let me know if I can help you. Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(M) Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 You should b able to make yourself a great and efficient forge for <$200, and have materials left over to boot. Don't just wing it though, you'll waste money. Check out forges 101 and Wayne Coe's website. Best of luck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey98118 Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 I would also suggest anyone who is thinking of building a forge to check out the Ron Reil forge pages that ABANA now hosts on the web. That's where I started out nineteen years ago; it's still worthwhile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beef56 Posted March 21, 2018 Author Share Posted March 21, 2018 I have a small pressure tank that I was considering using but it is only 11" in diameter and 13" tall overall with the main body being a little less than 10" tall. Seems like it would be small after finishing the inside? I also have an old oil barrel that is 14" in diameter and 30" tall which could be cut down. Would this be too large to efficiently heat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey98118 Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 One is a little too small and the other is WAY to large. Free used non-refillable Freon and helium cylinders or half mufflers from garages are all great for small forges, while used propane cylinders are the standard large forge all over the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beef56 Posted March 21, 2018 Author Share Posted March 21, 2018 I will continue my search for an appreciate cylinder. I live in a VERY rural area and there are not a lot of scavenging opportunities here. That was one reason I was considering a complete forge. I appreciate everyone's advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneCoeArtistBlacksmith Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 11" x13" is similar to a 20# Propane tank. They are about 12" X 12". It is larger than a Freon or Helium tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beef56 Posted March 21, 2018 Author Share Posted March 21, 2018 Thank you sir, I don't have a 20 lb tank here to measure, only 30 lb. I doubt the difference in size between the tank I am proposing and a 20 lb would be noticeable. I will email you regarding supplies. Thanks again! I was curious about the shipping price of a Diamondback forge. After reading the ordering instructions I am positive I will be building my own forge. I felt that company was doing me a big favor taking my money. No thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bebeaux Posted March 22, 2018 Share Posted March 22, 2018 I purchased a diamondback forge last year and I am ready to sell it and build my own. Owner's politics aside, it has some shortcomings in the design that make it unsuitable for anything above hobby level usage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey98118 Posted March 22, 2018 Share Posted March 22, 2018 Excellent! Speak write up; we all appreciate seeing both sides of the coin Nothing is better than hearing feedback from owners! Let's hear some negative input to help balance the avalanche of rave reviews. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bebeaux Posted March 23, 2018 Share Posted March 23, 2018 I'll put it in the gas forges section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beef56 Posted July 13, 2018 Author Share Posted July 13, 2018 I have located a homemade barbecue grill that is constructed from a decent gauge tank mounted on a 3" pipe on a truck rim. It would work for a forge body except the dimensions of the grill are 16"x28". Is there a way to keep the shell intact and decrease the inner dimensions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 Sure: add more insulation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beef56 Posted July 14, 2018 Author Share Posted July 14, 2018 I thought about extra insulation but wondered if there was any cheaper material to use under the 2" of insulation. If I were to use 4" of insulation that would still be a chamber 8x20. I haven't done the math but that would take a lot of heat to forge.A lot of the work is done for me, base, pedestal etc. but it is huge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey98118 Posted July 14, 2018 Share Posted July 14, 2018 K26 brick from eBay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneCoeArtistBlacksmith Posted July 14, 2018 Share Posted July 14, 2018 It is much better to start off right. Check out the xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and other attachments on the xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. You can find xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Let me know if I can help you. Wayne Coe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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