Re: forge
[Re: Andrew Eastwood]
#6593465
08/12/19 09:51 PM
08/12/19 09:51 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 828 Hill City,Mn.
Rally
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 828
Hill City,Mn.
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Andy, Check out some of the bullet caster forums. Quite a few ideas from guys smelting lead wheel weights, with easily built furnaces, made with cast iron pipes and insulated with concrete. Kind of like a poor mans plumber pot.
Last edited by Rally; 08/12/19 09:52 PM.
Keep your boots dry
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Re: forge
[Re: Andrew Eastwood]
#6593473
08/12/19 09:56 PM
08/12/19 09:56 PM
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,093 Hathaway Montana
Cathouse Jim
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,093
Hathaway Montana
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Coal forges are tough to beat, but finding quality coal can be a real pain. Here are my observations Coal is quiet, - propane is noisy when burning Coal takes a bit to heat up - propane is instant Coal will heat your shop up to being unbearable in the summer - propane won't as you can shut it down quicker Coal burns past when you are done and can be a hazard - propane shuts right off and doesn't hold heat as long Coal gives a more satisfying feeling by being traditional - propane not so much Coal forges are lighter to move around - propane is usually stationary on legs or mounted to the truck. Achieving perfect temp is easier with coal - propane not so much (as in heating just the tip of something- think of cooking a marshmallow)
Where does my observations come from - I spent my youth growing up around a forge and not a piece of metal was safe on the ranch according to my Dad. As an adult, I got a degree in Farrier Science and spent way too many hours over both types.
"I've reached nearly fifty four years of age with my system."
NTA Life member MTA Life member
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Re: forge
[Re: Andrew Eastwood]
#6593480
08/12/19 10:01 PM
08/12/19 10:01 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,179 Wisconsin
Moosetrot
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,179
Wisconsin
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A few years ago I bought a 2-burner Diamondback propane forge. Used it for a while then tucked it away due to some unforeseen life changes that made me put a blacksmithing shop on hold. When I did use it I loved it. While I live in the country it is in a residential area that I don't think would appreciate the coal smoke. Coal at times is getting tough to find. Propane is as close as the nearest refill rack. Propane forges burn a lot cleaner than coal, charcoal, or coke. May not be important working rebar, but if you start doing any forge welding it may make a difference. Plus propane will provide even heat at a high rate.
My son is an accomplished blacksmith and uses coal, but he lives in the country as well as fine tunes his draft, exhaust, etc. so except for lighting there really is not much of a smoke problem. He started out making his own charcoal but quickly found it takes time and sometimes does not work out as well.
Through the years I have accumulated 6 coal forges of varying sizes, about a dozen post vises, several anvils, and a ton of other stuff that I will soon be picking through to set up my smithy. The rest will go. The Diamondback gas forge will not be replaced by a coal forge, but I will have a fine coal forge with a kick-butt blower running very near to it. I like traditional things, but the efficiency of the gas forge is going to be awful nice when I need it.
Moosetrot
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Re: forge
[Re: son-of-grizz]
#6593518
08/12/19 10:21 PM
08/12/19 10:21 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,213 central Missouri
Bigfoot
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,213
central Missouri
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For just starting I would make it out of brake drum, couple pieces of pipe, old hair dryer and rim for base. Then just pick up lump charcoal to get started. Charcoal works pretty good for small stuff. I would only put the expense into propane if you planned on doing a lot of blacksmithing. I agree . Hedge is the best wood to use and will get your drags forged if you cant find coal it makes good charcoal
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Re: forge
[Re: Andrew Eastwood]
#6593722
08/13/19 08:51 AM
08/13/19 08:51 AM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,986 Shenandoah County, VA
l1ranger
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,986
Shenandoah County, VA
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google "two brick forge" for some ideas on propane. something along these lines = We did one with about 6 bricks - kiln, not fire, brick. fire brick hold heat, are heavy, and very hard. Kiln brick reflect heat, are light, and can be cut with basic hand tools. we didt not use the mesh to hold it all together, adjusted an additional brick in the back to control air and heat on that end and left the front open. the whole thing cools down fairly quickly, so you can go out after work, do some work with it and bring it all back inside before dark without burning anything down.
Josh
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