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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
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    Picton NSW
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    Default Building and Running Gas Forges

    As a few people on here know, building and running gas forges is a bit of a passion of mine, I have made a few videos on the subject that a few may find of use or interest. If you ever want help with your gas forge by all means ask I am only too happy to help.

    Gas equipment is my day job...




  2. #2
    BobL is online now Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Thanks for the video - I'm going to be doing some blacksmith courses in April so am interested in pursuing this,

    Is there a way to buy just enough rock wool to do one furnace without buying a whole box of it?

  3. #3
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    Feb 2013
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    Picton NSW
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    Hi Bob,

    Great to hear you are doing some blacksmithing courses, I did a few myself some time back and it really got me started.

    There are ways to get partial boxes of wool and I can maybe help. Basically put you in touch with other blokes building forges so you can buy together. I better send a PM I don't know the rules here yet and I want to make a good impression

  4. #4
    BobL is online now Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    I finally got a whole bunch of stuff together and test fired a natural-gas blown burner and after a bit of mucking about I was pleased to see I could generate a nice blue cone even though it was in the open air and it was a bit breezy

    I also managed to score a small propane gas tank (~18" high) which I filled up with water multiple times and then cut the end of as per Corin's video. I will be working on this over easter. I'll post some pics when I have something other than a pile of tubing to show for it.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
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  6. #6
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    Dec 2007
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    Melbourne
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    Do you know if Kiln tiles are suitable to use as a floor?

    I picked up some and the look like 20mm marble tiles. My plan was to double it up and get a 40mm floor, which could be swapped out for a 40mm fire brick if needed. The kiln tiles are smooth and non porous by comparison to the orange fire bricks.

    My gas forge is finally getting a start at being built.
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
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    Picton NSW
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by DSEL74 View Post
    Do you know if Kiln tiles are suitable to use as a floor?

    I picked up some and the look like 20mm marble tiles. My plan was to double it up and get a 40mm floor, which could be swapped out for a 40mm fire brick if needed. The kiln tiles are smooth and non porous by comparison to the orange fire bricks.

    My gas forge is finally getting a start at being built.
    yes mate they will work fine. Beware thermal mass, the thicker you go with a floor the longer you forge will take to heat. 40mm should be no issue though.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    NW coast, Tasmania
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    Gday Corin, I can get a hold of some castable refractory and was thinking of using that instead of the rockwool in a forge the same as in your videos. How thick a layer would you run in one of those forges, still 2 inch?

    Thanks in advance.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Sydney
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    Hi Match_1,
    The way I understand it, castable is a great refractory- however it will soak up heat for hours before it reflects (radiates) back into the chamber and onto your job. Ceramic blanket reflects pretty well straight away, thus heating your job straight away.
    I had a hard time trying to convince this to one of our men's shed high achievers regarding his casting furnace. Built it with 5" thick was in castable and the chamber didn't get hot enough to superheat bronze; add a layer of kaowool and fixed! The way it was going, it would have taken a day to heat the castable enough for a melt.
    I plan to use castable for door panels and of course it is great for a hard wearing floor.
    hope this helps,
    AndrewOC
    'Waratah' spring hammer by Hands & Scott c.1911- 20, 'Duffy, Todd & Williams' spring hammer c.1920, Premo lathe- 1953, Premo filing machine.

  10. #10
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    Feb 2013
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    What Andrew said is spot on. Don't do it.

  11. #11
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    Dec 2015
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    NW coast, Tasmania
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    Thanks guys, I'll go for a rockwool instead!

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