a word of warning about clay. any type of clay used to seal or for any use in your forge for that matter must be left to dry for at least 5 days (+or- depending on size) before fireing...or it will explode from steam and send hot chunks of clay and charcoal flying everywere burnings stuff including but not limited to, your favorite shirt, plastic tarps, the fence, grass and screens on windows....as an aditional note hairjell burns fairly vigorously as well....so ya be careful

FIN

You are correct - which is why I noted in this sticky...

http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/f7/general-coal-forge-notes-5921/

...to only dampen the lining mixture and not to mix it with water like typical mortar or concrete. Too much water in your lining is a bad thing for multiple reasons.

Where can you order fire clay from? I've done google searches and haven't been able to find anything.

I get mine from the swamp behind the house.
Finnr

So you can use any kind of clay?

I have used the soil, if you want to call it that, right out of my yard. We have very little organic material in our soil out here but do have granite particles. I usually buy fire clay at the masonry supply dealer in 25# bags though instead. Sounds like you just had a real fun experience especially with the hair jell.

Edited July 14, 200817 yr by Bentiron1946

Bailey Ceramic Supply

This place is good to deal with and they have pretty good prices.
If you want to search and find someplace close to you or want to compare prices, then search for pottery or ceramic supplies, not just clay or fire clay, the term fire clay is just a generic name for high temp clay.

welder19

Edited July 15, 200817 yr by welder19

i just go to an art store and get regular clay for like 25lbs for 5$

I buy my fire clay at Phoenix Brick as they have a wide selectiion fire bricks too. I think that I paid less then $15 for my last bag.

Anyone know of a good fireclay source near South Central Missouri (Houston)?
Moved down here in March and most of what I've managed to dig up from the yard looks more like your typical Red potters clay. What little Grey clay I've found has an enormus sand content to it (getting washed so I guess thats a bit irrelevant, still, not much there to wash. ) and not sure yet if thats Aluminum oxides or just an abundant lead oxide :confused:

Current plan is to build a multi-taskng furnace for foundry & glassmaking but I dont think my natural resources are gonna' handle the temp's. Of course this is the Ozarks so I guess I'll keep digging (Sooo many sandstone boulders in my way thou, but that just means I'll be more ready to swing the 18 lb. hammer when she's all done & dry. Always a bright side. )