New forge - new video uploaded 8-13
Hi all! I don't get around here much anymore, but thought I'd drop in and try to get some feedback. I'm working on a new forge, a bit bigger than the Atlas. It's an 8" steel tube with IFB for insulation. This is done by jigging up 2 bricks side by side and first drilling a 5" hole then an 8" hole. The two half circles are then stuffed into the tube.
Well, here's the first prototype. I'm happy with the 4" opening in the front, but not ecstatic about the rear oval. I really like how the legs turned out, and the two part front makes brick removal easy. I might end up with the front top stainless, depend on if the mild warps when heated.
It works, but a couple minor adjustments should help. It sputters badly when first starting. I don't know if this is normal, or I don't have enough back pressure. I do have some issues with the burner port. Cutting an angle and round is a bit difficult without an 8" wheel on the grinder. It was shooting tiny flames out around the port, which you can see in the video. I'll weld these for now, but think I know how to prevent it in the future. I don't like the back port. It shoots a LOT of heat out the back, far more than I'm used to with the Atlas. I'm thinking of reducing it to 3" x 1". Do you think this would be adequate, or would you want it larger?
The good:
Nice, even heating of the inside of the chamber with just a little hot spot.
The leg design is rock solid on the ground.
The flame, although tilted backwards, swirls nicely out the front
No more than 6" dragon's breath, and it was a nice blue.
Final dimensions
12" front to back, 12" to top of chamber, 13.5" to top of handle
5" diameter x 10" long chamber
1" front and rear, 1.5" side insulation
4" × 3" front port
4" × 2" rear port
[youtube]866u3raSm2c[/youtube]
Hi all! I don't get around here much anymore, but thought I'd drop in and try to get some feedback. I'm working on a new forge, a bit bigger than the Atlas. It's an 8" steel tube with IFB for insulation. This is done by jigging up 2 bricks side by side and first drilling a 5" hole then an 8" hole. The two half circles are then stuffed into the tube.
Well, here's the first prototype. I'm happy with the 4" opening in the front, but not ecstatic about the rear oval. I really like how the legs turned out, and the two part front makes brick removal easy. I might end up with the front top stainless, depend on if the mild warps when heated.
It works, but a couple minor adjustments should help. It sputters badly when first starting. I don't know if this is normal, or I don't have enough back pressure. I do have some issues with the burner port. Cutting an angle and round is a bit difficult without an 8" wheel on the grinder. It was shooting tiny flames out around the port, which you can see in the video. I'll weld these for now, but think I know how to prevent it in the future. I don't like the back port. It shoots a LOT of heat out the back, far more than I'm used to with the Atlas. I'm thinking of reducing it to 3" x 1". Do you think this would be adequate, or would you want it larger?
The good:
Nice, even heating of the inside of the chamber with just a little hot spot.
The leg design is rock solid on the ground.
The flame, although tilted backwards, swirls nicely out the front
No more than 6" dragon's breath, and it was a nice blue.
Final dimensions
12" front to back, 12" to top of chamber, 13.5" to top of handle
5" diameter x 10" long chamber
1" front and rear, 1.5" side insulation
4" × 3" front port
4" × 2" rear port
[youtube]866u3raSm2c[/youtube]
Last edited: