would a cetaline torch be good for forging? as long as you do not melt or cut the thing you are forging ovcourse.

An ACETYLENE torch is not efficient for forging. The fuel costs are somewhat prohibitive. A LOT of heat would be wasted in the process. Also, there is a danger of the acetylene becoming unstable, due to release rate from the tank. Search the site, there has been a lot said about acetylene safety here.

I think you mean Acetylene. I'll leave the answer to more experienced individuals (though I suspect the answer will be no), knowing the right terminology will help you find what you're looking for.

Shaun,

On one of your other posts I learned you have an interest in making knives. Here are some web sites you can go to for an immense amount of information on tools, materials, techniques, and what have you. There is a lot of information to be had by browsing through them.

Bladesmith's Forum

Information on making knives

British Blades


Ken

I'm gonna guess that your not all that old shaun. I'm pretty new to the metalworking world too, but let me pass out a bit of advice to make it easier on you to get started.

READ EVERYTHING: if you read a lot (and you can find gobs of info on the net) you won't have to ask a question of someone everytime you have an idea. I spent almost a year reading before I started acutally forging anything that looked decent.

Don't Rush into it. This isn't a fly by night hobbby, take your time and spend your limited resources on the right items. I still regret the 200+ dollars I dumped into the first forge I made. It was badly thought out and badly designed. Take your time, You don't need the best, but you do need something that works properly.

If you want to forge knives/swords first learn how to forge the basics. I'm doing tapers and scrolls and simple things like that. I'm working my way up to doing leaves. Good knives are a lot more difficult then you'd think(and take a LOT more in tools)

I hope you get interested and stick with it. It's a great hobby(or profession). it will keep you outta all kinda of trouble and give you lots of scars to talk about. and stories about things you've set on fire...and....

The following links should answer a lot of your questions.

IForgeIron.com > Getting Started
IForgeIron.com > Lessons in Metalworking > Blacksmithing

WEll said Frostfly

I have heard of ethyne torches, that they perform about the same as acetylyne. Anyone else hear of these?