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Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: Cody D Works on October 10, 2010, 07:36:00 PM

Title: Small Forge
Post by: Cody D Works on October 10, 2010, 07:36:00 PM
I am looking into making a small forge, i have access to plenty of materials. what is easier gas or ccoal? What methods would be best for making either? i'm looking for a low cost way to start. Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Small Forge
Post by: Steve Nuckels on October 10, 2010, 09:04:00 PM
Cody, I considered several factors when I chose a forge.  I wanted to start with coal but since I live in city limits (Smell & dirt) and I only have small blocks of time to work I chose propane!

That does not completly anwser your question, just my 2 cents.


Steve
--------
Potomac Forge
Title: Re: Small Forge
Post by: gudspelr on October 10, 2010, 11:38:00 PM
Just got the $50 Knifemaking book recently and read through it.  I found my copy for $12, money well spent.  He lays out the differences between the coal and gas forges and how to make each pretty darned cheap.  One of the things I hadn't thought of that he brought up were some challenges with coal-getting it burning well and keeping it at the temps you want, where to place your work in the fire, etc.  He said the coal will keep you working  :) .

Either way, I'll bet you can make something really cheap.  I think I'm going to try the 1 brick forge with propane for my first.  Good luck


Jeremy
Title: Re: Small Forge
Post by: Ragnarok Forge on October 13, 2010, 01:50:00 AM
Gas is easier to control and learn with.
Title: Re: Small Forge
Post by: Cody D Works on October 16, 2010, 11:12:00 PM
how would you do the top on a fire brick gas forge? I think this is going to be the most economical way for me to go....
Title: Re: Small Forge
Post by: Montauks on October 17, 2010, 09:46:00 AM
I posted this a few days ago    Small Forge (http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=110;t=002733)   I need to correct myself, instead of "normalizing" it would be annealing