homemade forge

[BrokenBiker]

started making a forge today. started off with a vessel that looks suspiciously like a gas bottle, cut the top off and have welded a bit of tube on to the body, and a bit of bar onto the lid so they slot together and the lid can rotate out of the way.

now for the technical bit. I have a bit of 5" pipe to sit in the middle to create the area for the crucible to sit, and have put a bit of pipe in for the air flow. for now I will be using charcoal to run it as I don't expect to be melting massive amounts of ali yet, but if things go well I will want to add propane to it. haven't actually got any at the moment hence the use of charcoal.

so, what do I use to line the forge with? some have 1:1 sand cement dry mix and then spray it down and allow to harden, others have said sand and plaster of paris, and then some have given complicated mixtures of god knows how many things.

so what is best to use?

 

[Shedendman]

what happened to the smoker?

 

[BrokenBiker]

that is awaiting a new reel of mig wire in the morning. was quite annoyed at thinking I had a full brand new reel and then finding the box was empty, so I decided to take my frustration out and start the forge as it only needed a few tacks on it, and I had enough wire for that in the mig

 

[mike 109444]

Think someone mentioned using the bricks from old storage heaters? Failing that pop over to Llanwern steelworks with a bucket

 

[BrokenBiker]

Think someone mentioned using the bricks from old storage heaters? Failing that pop over to Llanwern steelworks with a bucket

don't think I would be met with a kind welcome over there lol, plus its mostly new build housing estates now

 

[mike 109444]

Been many years since I last went on that site! I can remember the speed bumps were massive !! (in a loaded up estate car!) I only go now to the hospital department of the same name at Nevillhall (there today) back next week Working on the equipment not in for a procedure NO THANK YOU!!

 

[Maker]

Melting aly, you say? Technically it's not a forge then.

I think I've heard of people using cement with of vermiculite to line forges/furnaces/foundries. I wouldn't use it myself because hot concrete/cement explodes. A ceramic fibre blanket will insulate it very well.

 

[pedrobedro]

Melting aly, you say? Technically it's not a forge then.

I think I've heard of people using cement with of vermiculite to line forges/furnaces/foundries. I wouldn't use it myself because hot concrete/cement explodes. A ceramic fibre blanket will insulate it very well.

If he's after smelting not forging, blanket will be no good. Look on google for refractory cement suppliers or recipes.

 

[rtbcomp]

Not even smelting - that's the process of extracting metal from it's ore.

 

[pedrobedro]

Not even smelting - that's the process of extracting metal from it's ore.

Yes sorry wrong term, but it doesn't change the fact that uncoated blanket burns away quick and will cost a lot to replace regularly whereas plaster of Paris and silica sand will do the job for a few quid.

 

[Maker]

I meant have the ceramic fibre on the outside of the foundry to keep the heat in a bit, you preferably do need some refractory inside but I think you can make it work with no insulation or refractory material.