OzarksBackwoods Posted April 18, 2020 Share Posted April 18, 2020 Ok so I had a plan for 6x6x18 interior, changed it up and am thinking about 6x5x10 with a 3/4 t to narb. But I want to build 2 of them that I can put together for heat treating larger items. Got my steel and wool, working on getting refractory and wash. Got another thread going on tabcast 94, thinking of using it as my refractory, but with limited info I'm just not sure. It's high alumina so it would make a great floor, I'm thinking. But with that being said, been around but I know just enough to get myself in trouble. At least I know that much though. Input is welcome, prior military so good/bad/your screwing up doesn't really bother me. It's a learning experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzarksBackwoods Posted April 19, 2020 Author Share Posted April 19, 2020 Got the steel cut and welded 3 pieces together. Debating on just lining it as is and making an oversize "plate" to set it all on. I figure both pieces should be 600 in³ total. So 2ea. 3/4 T to NARB should do just about anything I could want to do for this size and not be too much of a gas hog. Gonna go look at refractories some more. What else to do when sleep eludes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welshj Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 Being prior military too- that sleep eludes issue rears its ugly head often! I'm fortunate enough to live far enough out that my neighbors put up with me pretty patiently. Lol. One thing I can tell you is the guys here love pictures to clarify/better see what you're doing. Another thing that I forgot to do when building mine was to double the refractory/wool thickness in figuring my build. Started with a 12" dia shell, thinking I'd have a 10" inner diameter with 2" of wool. Ended up with just under an 8" with the refractory cement coating. Just a moment of non-clear thinking in the rush of working.... Good luck brother, and thank you for your oath too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzarksBackwoods Posted April 22, 2020 Author Share Posted April 22, 2020 No pictures yet. But I picked up some zircopax and bentonite today with a 1" kiln shelf. No refractory on hand... bummer. No rigidizer either, but got told water glass was a good way but I'm not sure it will hold up to forge temps. The supply store was a kiln shop, soo... gonna check around see what I can find on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted April 22, 2020 Share Posted April 22, 2020 The right stuff for a gas forge. Gas Forge Refractories and Supplies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 22, 2020 Share Posted April 22, 2020 Water glass won't take the heat between the hard refractory and blanket. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzarksBackwoods Posted April 22, 2020 Author Share Posted April 22, 2020 Kinda what I figured out. I'll be hitting Glenn up after I do some math. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzarksBackwoods Posted April 26, 2020 Author Share Posted April 26, 2020 Got my order in. Thank you Glenn for that box of dirt tip. Got one in the works. Old lady is grabbing clay tomorrow while I bid a welding job. My woman wants to build a Cobb rocket kiln, that's why she is willing to dig clay. Walked the tracks today got 40- 50 lbs of spikes and track clips. Couldn't find any track plates. But I can at least start making tongs and whatnot. T-burner works. Can't wait to get the ribbon block cast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted April 26, 2020 Share Posted April 26, 2020 Ozarks, you're probably going to get a barrage of responses here regarding picking up RR spikes off the railroad right of way...it's definitely ILLEGAL! If you are caught, you will be in deep kimchi. Not sure on this, but some here with more legal experience have indicated it is a felony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted April 27, 2020 Share Posted April 27, 2020 In general we suggest that people do NOT admit to illegal activities on open forums. It is best to assume that once you have posted something here it will be viewed by your boss, your next boss, your pastor and your spouse---not to mention your kids if any and grandkids if any... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted April 27, 2020 Share Posted April 27, 2020 On 4/26/2020 at 1:37 PM, arkie said: Not sure on this, but some here with more legal experience have indicated it is a felony. I'm no lawyer, but my understanding is that there is a federal law (49 U.S. Code § 20151) that instructs the Department of Transportation to provide model legislation for trespass and vandalism on railroad rights-of-way. Actual legislation depends on the specific jurisdiction, which could be state, county, or municipal. For example, here are the Sec. 18c-7503. Trespassing on railroad property of the Illinois Compiled Statues and Chapter 11-36-6 - Trespassing on railroad right-of-way of the Rhode Island General Laws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzarksBackwoods Posted April 27, 2020 Author Share Posted April 27, 2020 Not 100% sure how it works exactly. I misspoke, I was never on railway property. We have land that borders it. Most of these were in our fence line. I'll check into it though. *I know trying to scrap anything like that is illegal though. But I believe, at that point, it is considered abandoned property. But I'll still find out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted April 27, 2020 Share Posted April 27, 2020 Depending on jurisdiction, the laws for abandoned property can be drastically different for railroads than they are for everything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzarksBackwoods Posted April 27, 2020 Author Share Posted April 27, 2020 True. They're still in the truck. I'm gonna swing by the shop on my way home. 3 minutes out of the way. I can always leave them there if it applies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted April 27, 2020 Share Posted April 27, 2020 A few years back, I decided that I wanted some RR spikes (must have been a weak moment...). The closest RR was down in Russelville., AR. I called their office and inquired about how to get some spikes legally. The fellow there was very helpful and friendly and thanked me for inquiring before venturing off to do something dumb. He gave me the address of the shop where he was and told me to come by to get a written and signed permit to obtain spikes. Next, he told me that they were doing some track repairs and upgrades going through town and to go over there. He said "show this permit to the foreman, and you can haul off all the spikes you want." Well, it was an August day, temp about 95 and the RR work was about 1/2 mile from the nearest road. I told myself, "Me, I ain't about to drag a 5 gal. bucket full of spikes 1/2 mile down a RR track in this weather!!" I didn't want the spikes that badly. I thought they might have some piled up at the yard, but didn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted April 27, 2020 Share Posted April 27, 2020 You can also buy them new by the keg. I have a friend who came up with a good selling item made from spikes and he tracked down the manufacturer and ordered a keg to have a good legal supply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted April 27, 2020 Share Posted April 27, 2020 Found some rr materials, spikes, clips, track plates, in a just yard. Ask the manager about it and he said to stay away from the area. They belonged to the rr and the rr police has counted everything. Seems they were building a case against the fellow that was bringing it in as scrap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzarksBackwoods Posted April 27, 2020 Author Share Posted April 27, 2020 I talked to a fellow at the yard. Got told no walking the road bed but the fence line they weren't worried about. My side of the fence, my spike deal. He even knew where I was talking about. He was on his way out, little gruff, but can't blame him. * probably just buy them if I need any more, avoid the possible misunderstanding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted April 28, 2020 Share Posted April 28, 2020 Ozarks, depending on where you live in AR, there is a scrap dealer in Little Rock who reportedly can sell spikes to the public. I don't know the name of the place, but one of our blacksmith members lives in LR, and he has gone there on more than one occasion to buy spikes. He said the pile of spikes is as big as a garage. If you do, better keep the receipt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzarksBackwoods Posted April 30, 2020 Author Share Posted April 30, 2020 Yeah I found some online too. 100lbs for $99, shipping is probably a little rough though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted May 1, 2020 Share Posted May 1, 2020 Might be cheaper to drive to LR and check out the stuff there....but wait,,,,that's a COVID-19 hotspot right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzarksBackwoods Posted June 5, 2020 Author Share Posted June 5, 2020 Ok y'all. Haven't really been around much. Life hit a hard spot. Jacked up my shoulder a while back. Turns out I pinched a nerve and may have damaged the laborum. Off work for the last couple weeks and getting alot taken care of. Going to pick up the rest of my burner materials today, plenum and mould wood. Can't really do much heavy stuff, but I figure I can get the forge done. Been working on vehicles mostly (thank god for the gofers). Don't have to slam the truck door anymore. Feels like I been lazy long enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 5, 2020 Share Posted June 5, 2020 If you're using Kastolite it takes a LOT of force to mix. You have to kneed it rather than stir and with crushed aggregate the particles do NOT slide past each other easily. Lots of force, lift fold mash down. If you have shoulder pain you might want to promote a gofor to smoosher. Get well quick, we're pulling for you. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted June 5, 2020 Share Posted June 5, 2020 My last few batches of Kastolite mixing were done with a 3" stiff putty knife, chopping in the water and then chopping the damp parts together with the dry parts. Worked a LOT better than trying to mix with a stick. Feel better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 6, 2020 Share Posted June 6, 2020 That's right, I used a stiff putty knife to cut and fold it and mashed with a piece of 3/4" pipe with a cap on each end like a pestle. I'll try just using the knife next time. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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