Blacksmithing

[Lloyd_E]

One of my 'country' interests is blacksmithing.
We (blacksmithing group) recently spent a weekend building 22 propane forges.
The following is the result of our two day workshop. I used coal in the past but find it dirty
and not safe. My shop has a wood floor and I would spend too much time checking on the building well after using the forge. With the gas forge (it cools down in less than 30 minutes) I can walk away and check it once. The forge will get to a welding heat 2700f degrees.

Lloyd

 

[DocHeb]

What is the insulation material that is used for the walls?

 

[Lloyd_E]

The material is from a ceramics/kiln supplier:
1 inch thick 8 lb density 2600 degree F ceramic fibre blanket - Kaowool.
The two layers provide a 5200 degree blanket.
We also coated the blanket with Mortar Vesuvius 3000 degree F.

I can send you a PDF file on the construction if you like.

Lloyd

 

[Western]

Hi Lloyd,

I would love a set of plans, Looks pretty "cool"

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Lloyd, I would love plans for that. I had a chance to take a blacksmithing course but couldn't at the time and it was never offered again. A truly lost art. And a wooden floor even. makes it that much more nostalgic. Thanks for sharing the info.

Andy.

 

[Lloyd_E]

Hopefully this will work...

Lloyd

PS: I had to sign a waver prior to building the forge: essentially giving release to the association in terms of safety, accident or death and or damage, applying to family and heirs.

By accepting this you do the same - release me from any responsibility or accountability for your safety, your family or heirs. You assume all risk in using this information. I believe indoor use of a propane tank violates code everywhere in North America, and most of Europe.

Read the 'safety information' first prior to starting this project.


At a later point there will be a pdf with images and drawings...

 

[Egon]

We have a propane fired pottery kiln housed in an all metal shed with concrete floor in the back yard.

Just a few "Hoops" to jump thru to get it all legal!

 

[Lloyd_E]

Egon,

With a unit that big you could convert to a smelter and do casting or considering the season... a huge turkey roaster!!!


Lloyd

 

[Egon]

Roastin a turkey might get a bit touchy.

 

[polo1665]

Very interesting stuff. I deal extensively with Kaowool blanket and and high temperature mortars in the foundry where I work. I find it amazing that you can achieve such temperatures with propane. The melting point of the nickel and cobalt based alloys we use are lower than 2700 deg. What is your consumption rate of propane? Can these temperatures also be achieved with natural gas using the same furnace set up? I look forward to reading the PDF file you were kind enough to include. Over the years I have aquired quite an interest in this kind of technology, a lost art as Wayne County pointed out. Thanks for posting.

Mark