ede Posted February 20, 2022 Share Posted February 20, 2022 I see a youtuber/promoter advocating the purchase of the cheap volcano forges. Does anyone else see quality issues with them or am I alone? Model: Hero Built in the USA. Complete Propane Forge Kit - heats up to 2400°F Stainless Steel Construction | Size: 9.5 x 8.75 x 8.75 KIT INCLUDES: 2lb Satanite Refractory Mortar - for Initial Coating and 8 oz - for future Maintenance 1 inch High Density 2600°F Extreme Heat Ceramic Fiber Blanket One Extreme Heat Magma Firebricks, Propane Hose with 0-20 PSI Regulator, 8 oz Winterized Rigidizer Concentrate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted February 20, 2022 Share Posted February 20, 2022 I have never used a Volcano forge, but here is a thread about them. https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/68952-dipped-a-toe-in-gas-forge-is-awesome/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHC Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 I have the one you describe. It gets metal hot enough to shape in what seems a respectable time to me. Bear in mind it’s the only forge I’ve used too. I light it and put some metal in, then start laying out some tools, step out behind the shop to water some bushes, have a smoke and drink some water…. By the time I’m actually ready, the metal is too. I haven’t tried a forge weld and I don’t actually know exactly how hot it gets. I have no complaints, but to be fair I probably don’t know what I should be complaining about. Took me a couple days to set it up following the directions for cure time and such, that may have been because I was diligently exercising patience to make sure I didn’t screw something up. If you need a first forge and you’re on a tight budget, can you really go that wrong with something that fires up and heats metal reliably? I don’t know how many hours are on mine, but it’s been a lot of propane run through it. The refractory and fire brick are still there and holding up just fine. I am careful not to scrape the sides when placing or removing metal too. So far the thickest stock I’ve heated in it is about 1.25”. That did require that I let it sit there and soak for a bit. There are others out there that are prettier, look to be a bit better built, and are still fairly affordable. But none as cheap as the Volcano, and it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 As I noted in the thread IDFCW linked, Jennifer/jlpservicesinc got some of these to use in her school. That's recommendation enough for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les L Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 I have one of the volcano forges and I like it. It heats up fast and doesn't use a tremendous amount of gas. Is it as good as some of the more expensive ones, no, but it is perfect for small projects, doesn't take up much room and is easy to move around. I have not turned the gas pressure all the way up yet, so I can't verify if it will get hot enough to forge weld, I do that in my coal forge. I don't have a hood for my coal forge yet (currently gathering material for one) and I only use coal when I can open the doors on each end of my shop so I bought the propane forge for the days the weather is bad or I am working on a small project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goods Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 Les, be very wary of using the propane forge in the shop with the doors closed. It’s easy to tell when the smoke from your coal forge isn’t clearing out, but you can’t see or smell the CO from a gas forge. At the very least get a CO detector in your shop. I personally was very surprised how fast the CO builds up in my shop when I thought it was well ventilated! Keep it Fun (and safe)! David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 One of the pluses living where I do is that I can usually forge with *both* 10' by 10' roll up doors open AND the gables on the ends of the shop are open. I hope to enclose them this year but will have a 4'x4' set of louvers at the peak area open all the time. CO is a silent killer and I've had friends who have had close shaves with it---as in stumbling out of the shop and passing out in a snowbank! I've had a CO headache at an ABANA affiliate meeting before. A rainstorm blew up and so they closed the barn doors till only a 3' gap was left. Demo used a big forge at a good blast. I guess I am more sensitive that some folks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ede Posted February 21, 2022 Author Share Posted February 21, 2022 The issues I see, and correct me if I'm wrong, are: Low pressure regulator. Why include a low pressure if you gotta buy a high pressure one? What appears to be 1" of Ceramic Fiber. Isn't the industry recommendation 2" minimum? Satanite coating looks very thin, Isn't 1/2" minimum recommendation? What is a Magma firebrick? Insulating, non insulating? "True swirl flame", burner isn't tangential to the hexagonal body. Fancy advertising malarkey? Built in the USA or made in the USA for $88? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les L Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 Goods, thanks, great advice to bring up when discussing propane forges. I didn’t include that I have a CO monitor in the shop, always have the 14ft wide door, on the opposite direction of the wind, open plus my shop has flow through ventilation at all times. Ede, it’s pretty obvious that your not interested in this forge, so quit badmouthing something you haven’t seen or tried Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ede Posted February 21, 2022 Author Share Posted February 21, 2022 21 minutes ago, Les L said: Ede, it’s pretty obvious that your not interested in this forge, so quit badmouthing something you haven’t seen or tried I have seen youtube promoters with this forge. I respectfully disagree and believe the health and safety of potential buyers should come first, thus the comment about what appears to be a very thin Satanite coating. I haven't used Satanite so am curious on feedback. The veracity of any manufacturer claims should be a healthy dialogue in a forum dedicated to gas forges where health and safety is paramount. If you read threads in this forum, minimum fire blanket is usually suggested at 2, 1" layers. The Volcano forge appears to be 1". Folks who don't have forge building knowledge and are looking for an efficient forge should be aware of this, don't you think? This isn't too disparage any manufacturer, it's to find out from those more informed than myself. I'm one of those folk who doesn't take things on face value, I like a diverse dialogue before I develop an opinion, the pro's and con's if you will. I'm hoping some more experienced builders will chime in on my questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 What isn't disparaging about, Hmmmm? 2 hours ago, ede said: Fancy advertising malarkey? You are taking things discussed here regarding home built forges and trying to apply what you believe is being said to a commercial product. 1" ceramic blanket refractory IS industry standard for this size forge. Pick a brand and look at the spec sheets. 1/2" of hard refractory inner liner AKA "Flame Face" is more than is typically being applied to home built forges by people who've made them more than once. Recommendations here discourage thick flame face layers as being wasteful of fuel and space. If you have concerns by all means ask. However your presentation of "questions" assume a degree of misrepresentation that is frankly off putting. Without the knowledge nor expertise to raise the doubts you MIGHT perhaps pose questions as such, NOT as if they're some sort of exposition of fraud. Don't YOU think? ALL your points have been discussed and answered many times if you read the appropriate sections. Volcano Forge is NOT a high end forge and doesn't pretend to be but it's a good solid value for the money. Two of the guys in our club own them and one welds damascus billets. If you think you can build better for the money, let's see it. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 And folks buy cars that get less than 40mpg too! Efficiency is not always a deal breaker---however if you are going to build your own why not "profit" from getting more insulation? Thickness of coatings is more a will it work and will it last question. Again various trade offs. I date back to the days when gas forges had no coatings over the kaowool; yet thousands of smiths made and used them. I'm glad we know better nowadays. It's been mentioned that these are not top of the line forges but more of the "Ford Escort" models, entry level, and will probably work long enough for folks to think about upgrading from them. You of course are welcome to only buy the BEST of everything. My house has 2"x6" walls for the extra insulation; I assume yours is even better? My winter heating bill this year will be about US$250 total and mainly because my wife is 75 and feels cold a lot and we like fires! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les L Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 I needed a flux spoon so I fired it up this morning, stuck a 6” piece of 1/2 square in it and 25 minutes later I had a 14” long spoon. The “ low pressure regulator” you talked about is a 20 lb regulator. I’ve been using it for a year and have never experienced the health and safety issues you referenced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ede Posted February 21, 2022 Author Share Posted February 21, 2022 I'm glad to hear reports that folks like them. You are right Frosty, I could not manufacture a hobbyist forge for that amount of money, nor would I want to try. I'm not in the forge building business though, but I have built forges and burners in the past including your T-burners. The question about the performance of the regulator comes from seeing a FB post from Larry Zoeller regarding regulators. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goods Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 What size forge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHC Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 Well, as mentioned, I have one. It works and works well. It’s cheap. The refractory has held up now for 17 months without needing patching or replacing. I’m not a full time smith like many here, I’m not even a part time smith by my own standards. I’ve never opened the regulator all the way and it. Just. Works. I don’t see a need for facetiousness. Dang that’s a big word… kinda surprised I spelled that right. Surprisingly, the manual says the outside may get hot. I think it says “can get up to approximately 600 degrees”. I can place my bare hand on the outside of the forge. Uncomfortably warm, yes. But I can do it. That’s 1” of wool and the satanite for ya. (disclaimer: I highly discourage anyone else from trying this. As always, your mileage may vary.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 I asked Larry about his calculations a long time ago and didn't understand his explanation then. I don't know if they're his calcs or he's repeating what he read back when. My 0-30psi regulator puts out more than enough volume to run four, 3/4" T burners to easy welding heat in my too large mostly open sided shop forge. The first propane forge I used was an old school open ended piece of pipe with about a 1" hard castable refractory liner. This was a time when everybody knew you couldn't weld in a naturally aspirated propane forge. Funny, the farriers who shod our horses two decades earlier didn't have trouble welding and I don't recall any with a gun burner forge. I never got a close look or got to ask questions, Dad made sure I was elsewhere when they were over. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les L Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 I also have a 3 burner Majestic Forge in my shop, that’s for my blacksmith club, that I can use anytime I want. I’ve used it twice, I prefer to use my Volcano for small quick projects, or days I can’t completely open my shop because it’s more economical, doesn’t have the amount of dragon breath as the three burner gas forge, even when only using the back two burners. I have one of Frosty’s NARBS on my bucket list, that I’m currently gathering material for, but life has set me back on that project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWISTEDWILLOW Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 Let me start by saying I don’t know diddly about gas rigs as I burn coal and build coal forges as well as use old factory made ones, but I have checked the mr volcanos out online occasionally out of curiosity and it seems they sell out almost as fast as they can build them, an they seem to have decent reviews, to date I haven’t read about a class action lawsuit against the company? So they must be doing something right? Lol personally I think for the price that they are an awesome way to get new beginners involved in smithing! not everyone has a shop or tools and equipment and or knowledge to fabricate forges gas or coal from scratch but lots of folks have $88 bucks and easy access to a grill bottle! Lol are you gonna forge railroad track in one? Probably not… but I’d bet there not designed for that, On the other hand I’d bet you could forge a great many other things in one and by the time your skill level grows to needing an upgrade you’ll probably have appropriated the knowledge an tools to start building your own! ya gotta start somewhere aintcha? Just my $.02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 If you give your $.02 and I give a penny for your thoughts, who gets the extra penny? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWISTEDWILLOW Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 Lol, now there’s a seriously perplexing question! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHC Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 Y’all do all that math mess and ima charge ya both a buck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey98118 Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 I got no use for being perplexing. But facetious? Oh, yes! Yum, yum yummy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 Thermodynamics will take that extra penny! As for spelling; just remember that Facetiously contains all the vowels in the English language in order! AEIOU and sometimes Y (It does not include the Welsh W though, cwm is a good Welsh word I ran into in Geology and have used in scrabble, crwth as well.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWISTEDWILLOW Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 Note to self bring dictionary when playing scrabble with Thomas lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.