seagiant Posted July 29, 2023 Share Posted July 29, 2023 Hi, Before I retired, found a piece of steel pipe at work and decided to make a small knife making, and or small tool making forge. Aim was to conserve fuel, but yet have a full working forge. I use firebrick for doors and put in 2 1" layer K-Wool and a coating of Satinite. Forge pipe is split and can be separated for Wool install. Made a Blown Burner and also use a Mr. Volcano Burner. Turned out pretty good for what I need and happy with the outcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey98118 Posted July 29, 2023 Share Posted July 29, 2023 You are in a good position to compare a good fan-blown, and a good naturally aspirated burner in the same forge. Tell us what you like, or find limiting about one type versus the other, since yours is likely to be a reasonably unbiased opinion. Or does it turn out that you like both equally, but prefer on over the other for particular tasks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seagiant Posted July 29, 2023 Author Share Posted July 29, 2023 Hi, Good question, I like both burners... (started with a Coal Forge...) I used to go to John C. Campbell's Art School, to take week or more classes in Blacksmithing and Knifemaking. A Buddy and I went to the Don Fogg Japanese Sword Class for one week. We both made a Fogg Vertical Blown Forge for the Class. It was a great Forge and would and did easily forge weld. I gave it to a friend that only ground knives to use for heat treating. Sooo....Brought up on Blown Forges, but the advantage to me with the aspirated burner is you can tune the heat lower while maintaining a neutral atmosphere. Seems that way to me and what I put together anyway. Really like the Mr. Volcano Burner and for $25, is pretty much a no-brainer! https://web.archive.org/web/20130807232422/http://www.dfoggknives.com/forge.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey98118 Posted August 8, 2023 Share Posted August 8, 2023 What you shared about the Mister Volcano burner did for your forge was helpful, but we can't get into your head. You need to give us a verbal tour of what you particularly like about this forge...what it does well for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seagiant Posted August 9, 2023 Author Share Posted August 9, 2023 Hi, Well, it has a front and back "door" made of upright hard firebrick. This allows longer iron to be positioned where you please. The length of the forge and diameter is small enough to do the job but save Gas. No need to me to heat up a foot of steel and only have time to work 5inches of it before the forging heat is gone. We used those vertical Fogg Forges to make swords and they only heated about 6 inches of steel at a time. It will forge weld and why I may not make pattern welded steel, because of not having a power hammer or press. Do enjoy the San Mai process and can do that on the Anvil. Just a neat little Forge and thought others might like to hear about it. I think most Forges are made to big actually. ' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey98118 Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 7 hours ago, seagiant said: Just a neat little Forge and thought others might like to hear about it. I think most Forges are made to big actually. I agree that most first forges are built too large. I also suspect that your evaluation of your forge is right on the money. This is the first gas forge I have heard of, to run quite well in both fan-blown and naturally aspirated modes. The photos show a yellow-white interior, which is always a very good sign. Because builders have a strong tendency to get a delirious with joy when their first forge works properly, a cautious reader learns to want particulars. Loads of first time builders have will have something more to hang their hopes on, should they choose to imitate yours Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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