In blacksmithing, a forge is used to warm up and heat up metal blanks before heat treatment. The operating temperature in this device rises to 1200 degrees. By design, the device can be stationary and mobile (that is, it can be placed directly in a specially equipped forge or transferred to a place convenient for work). Equipment for industry is completed different devices, For domestic use the bugle is made in the simplest version.
Features of a household blacksmith forge
Due to the high cost of melting plants, not every user can buy such equipment for special purposes. For domestic needs, collect gas forge easy with your own hands subject to the correct determination of the form, power and structure of the pressurization system. A simple household forge for artistic forging or casting from non-ferrous metal can be assembled from several fireclay bricks and sheet steel.
Making a horn at home for working with ferrous metal is not difficult. The simplest design can be made from a metal container, in the side of which it is necessary to make a hole for a gas burner. The fuel supply system can be assembled from a piece of pipe and a coupling, for supporting structure long bolts will fit under the container. The lining of the gas chamber is carried out by filling a solution of alabaster or gypsum, sand and water.
Horn must be equipped protective cover, a ceramic tube or a suitable bottle. After lining and drilling a hole for gas supply, the device is installed in convenient location but away from flammable materials. The advantages of the design include the ability to move the furnace, adjust the degree of heating of the workpiece, which is especially convenient when working with different forging materials.
The principle of operation of the installation
Before proceeding with the assembly of the thermal installation, you need to understand the principles of operation of a homemade forge for forging metal to simplify the design of the stove for home use. The operation of the device is based on the energy yield during the combustion of a mixture of carbon and oxygen, the percentage of metal release in molten form. During the smelting process, carbon stops the oxidation reaction of the metal, the constant blowing of gas into the fuel quickly increases the temperature in the hearth.
The process of heating metal requires certain skills and specific knowledge. It is not enough to assemble a mini-forge with your own hands, you need to learn how to control the supply of oxygen to the fuel, the volume of which should be no more than 95%. If the workpiece overheats, carburization of the metal occurs, the steel becomes brittle, turning into cast iron.
Designing the Blueprint for the Future blacksmith fixture, special attention should be paid to the type of energy substance that affects the design of the focus. By type of fuel for the furnace is:
- gas (butane, propane);
- liquid (diesel oil, fuel oil);
- solid (charcoal, coke);
- mixed (gas-liquid).
Depending on the planned work and the size of the workpiece, the thermal furnace can be with an open or closed hearth zone. Home master it should be remembered that household gas can be used in the hearth only after preliminary purification from sulfur by the method of "running" through liquid naphthalene. Products from heated gas burner metal cannot be used as loadable parts.
The main requirement for the safety of the master is the installation of a powerful forced ventilation system, even if a household soldering machine powered by bottled gas is used for the forge. The device will allow you to manufacture decorative elements interior and exterior in own garage.
Making a stove from a blowtorch
Making a hearth for forging with your own hands, blowtorch you need to install in a recess, around the perimeter of which lay fireclay bricks with a grate. When laying refractory bricks, it is necessary to observe the distance between the enclosing elements in order to ensure the entry of air masses into the combustion chamber. The angle of the blocks relative to each other building material determined by the master.
Charcoal or coke is poured into the recess, equipped with bricks on the grate, a pipe is put on the blowtorch, which is brought under the grate. The blank for forging is placed in the gap between brickwork, coal concentrate is ignited from below. To remove smoke, a probe, tent or chimney is installed above the grate.
Solid propellant forge device
The simplest model of a solid fuel device for a private forge is an outdoor open oven, which does not require the installation of a ventilation system. The construction of the structure provides for the pouring of a reinforced concrete base; a wall brick must be laid at the base of the structure. The table is set at a comfortable height, a hole for the blower is left in one wall.
The mountain hearth is laid out from fireclay bricks supported by steel corners; a cavity for the grate is left in the middle part of the structure. A chimney or a probe will help to ensure sufficient draft in the hearth, the air supply system is mounted at the final stage construction works. The installation of an electric fan in the chimney or the installation of bellows will help to strengthen the draft.
In a home forge, a container for hardening parts and a gas-air chamber are not mandatory elements. They can be useful in the case when, in the process of working with damask steel, it is required to carry out thermal or shock hardening. In the gas-air chamber is carried out:
- drying and heating of oxygen;
- filtration of oxygen from condensate and impurities;
- mixing air with filler substances for steel alloying.
To melt precious metals and create an alloy of non-ferrous metals, it is necessary to make a crucible from a heat-resistant material. Made in the form of a cap, the device allows you to increase operating temperature in the oven without the risk of overheating the workpiece and the formation of soot.
Home forge on gas
For the manufacture of a simple home forge on gas, you can use parts from an old bicycle. If on lathe to turn the "asterisk" from the gearbox, the device can operate on butane or propane, heat closed small-volume horns. An important condition use portable design is a ban on the operation of the burner with acetylene, since the high temperature of the flame can burn the former "asterisk", and the furnace will simply explode.
It is not difficult to assemble such a device, while a home-made forging forge is not much inferior to industrial ones, but it is much cheaper. The main thing is to observe the safety rules in the manufacture and use.
Forge - a workshop for the manual processing of metal blanks, mainly by heating and forging. Handicraft blacksmith workshops are maintained by enthusiastic masters of simple and artistic forging, who, thanks to their hobby, preserve the traditions of the craft.
Forges are equipped with a hearth (mountain) and an anvil. In the forge, a huge number of metal processing works are carried out: melting, pouring molten metal into molds, forging, welding work, copper and brass soldering, hardening, stamping, drawing, bending, torsion, embossing and others. Finished melting furnaces in this shop.
In one of the previous articles described by a talented craftsman. Here we will consider what kind of forge for the forge this master made with his own hands. Creating a homemade forge at home, practically in the yard, he used, as one of the forums aptly put it, “a minimalist-primitivist approach.” However, it should be noted that this approach proved to be very effective.
The basis of the forge was a portable forge from a pipe 1 cm thick, weight approximately 60 kg, bottom 1.5 cm. Under the bottom there is a hollow part, to the base of which a pipe for supplying boost air is welded. Air is supplied from a vacuum cleaner. A door is installed in the hearth to reduce heat loss.
The anvil is a piece of rail welded to the channels. On the side of the anvil there is a fastener for a vise, which can be installed if necessary for torsion and other work. The distance between the forge and the anvil is approximately 1 m, which makes it convenient to work.
Checking a coal forge shows how effective the device is. The video shows that using a small amount of charcoal for testing, you can disperse the oven to 1200 degrees.
Brief preface:
About three years ago I decided to make a forge - I got tired of making handles, I wanted to forge it myself. I went through literature, the Internet, asked old blacksmith acquaintances. In general, to be honest, everything is incomprehensible. Fans even make (!) a forge in the bathroom (!) Vacuum cleaners are recommended, pots ... But I need it - so that it’s small, but really “not on my knee”.
I already have experience, I make very good knives: I mainly use bearing steel, as it is cheap and affordable. Basic principles for building a forge:
The cheapest possible.
The maximum available materials.
Most convenient.
So, first - what is needed for the forge.
Materials.
1) Ordinary brick, even white, even red - about thirty, I took from landfills and from the ruins
2) Metal grate. Best of all - metal pallets, preferably cast iron. I managed to buy in a rural store (hardware) - cast iron pallets for the stove. If desired, you can simply put the reinforcement, or weld the grate. Functionally - coals will burn on it, so the thicker the better. Holes - respectively, so that no more than one and a half centimeters (otherwise the coals will fail.
3) Anvil. Of course, a piece of rail will do. But an anvil is better. This is not only one of the most "costly" parts, but you will find figs. But I was lucky, I found again in a rural store. But if you sharpen on knives, then the rail is enough.
4) Fan. The most important thing is blowing. I bought thousands of dollars on the construction market for two and a half rubles - this is the second costly part, but quite lifting.
5) Sleeve out aluminum foil- put it on the fan, stuck a pipe from the water supply into it.
6) A water pipe, one and a half meters, diameter - with a tin can from peas.
7) A tin can from peas - on one side there is a hole, on the other it is notched and bent, it plays the role of a structure that guides and reflects the air stream - in order to blow it to the right place.
8) A large stump for installing the anvil.
All. Total budget costs (for 2010):
Anvil - 900 rubles
Fan - 2.500 rubles
Flexible aluminum sleeve - 80 rubles
Pallets 2 pieces - 160 rubles
Bricks are free, everything else is free.
Total: we fit into 4000 rubles easily.
How is the forge.
The forge is simple.
It is necessary: to blow from below with air, through the grate onto the coals. The workpiece lies on the coals and is heated. You can poke into the coals. The sides are covered with bricks. Dot. All.
Therefore (see Photo 1.) - first we lay out a rectangle from bricks. I did NOT care about "cement, refractory clay, etc." - just PUT the bricks. Move - I'll fix it. Crash - I'll replace it. I don't need to forge gates, I need blades. Quite.
You can see two rows of bricks in the top photo ... further - we continue to lay out
The photo shows that a rectangle of bricks is folded, of various colors. True, it rests on an iron box - on the lower left - but it was just a box, I also used it. In fact, these are two walls of bricks in two rows with the letter "P". Width - to put pallets. You can clearly see how I foolishly burned one of the pallets - I achieved a “white glow”. Achieved. Is it necessary?
I put bigger blocks at the head - I just found these, you can just do it from bricks. Here is a front view of where to insert the blown pipe from.
Two layers of bricks, pallets resting on them with edges, an iron box at the bottom - do not pay attention - we believe it is on the ground. Next, we continue the walls and the butt - just a few bricks up.
The pipe is a piece water pipe for blowing.
You can see how the blower pipe is inserted.
Top view: two more rows of bricks have been laid. In fact, almost everything is ready. But experience has shown that - since all this is on outdoors, - it is better to bring the walls higher so that it does not cool down from the breeze. Therefore, I raised it a little higher (there is no photo, I just added two rows of bricks. But this year, two years - that's exactly how it was in the photo, and forged.
Now - blowing.
In the next photo - the fan on wooden pallet(I made it in a hurry) with an aluminum sleeve put on. The fan costs money - but here even the vacuum cleaner is old, even home-made furs - it is important that air is supplied where it is needed and convenient. The pipe does not heat up.
Fan, bought at the construction market.
It is important that the air supply should be from the bottom up, I put a crumpled tin can on the end of the pipe, which turns the air flow from horizontal upwards - this is more than enough. Banks - free
The sleeve is put on and wrapped around the fan with wire. No tightness, everything is tacked on, just to hold on. I'm not worried. In the next photo on Sun. case - fan output. The crumpled end of the aluminum sleeve is clearly visible, where I stick the pipe during work.
Fan output.
As I said, next - we take a tin can from under the peas. We put on a pipe. The bent cover is a reflector, we direct it upwards - and we put the pipe under the pallets. We put the pipe into an aluminum sleeve, crimp it and tie it with a wire. We turn on the blow. You need a switch, step with your foot - turn it off and on, so that it doesn’t blow in vain when it’s not necessary - your hands are busy.
Further - the stump, placed in the disk from the wheel, is covered with sand. In principle - any such foundation, shob did not stagger. On the stump - an anvil (a piece of rail or piece of iron is more massive) - and forward. All. Who already has what - I managed to buy an anvil - together with a fan, these are the two biggest expense items. If there was no money, I would take a piece of a thick channel or a rail. Most importantly, everything is working.
And so general form forges at work. If you need to shelter from the wind - I report a wall of bricks. I need a long length (for example, I forged a one and a half meter skewer from rebar) - I remove bricks from the end - etc. Everything can be rebuilt in a minute.
The forge is at work.
Good luck, guys! The forge is great. I forged knives for myself - the main thing is that your hands are untied, and you can really not lick your lips at other people's records - but make your own gizmos. But that's another song!
I forgot to add about safety: sprinkle sand around, when forging ALWAYS let a bucket of water nearby (but do not drink during and after forging for about 20 minutes - your teeth will crack, I'm serious) - because pieces of chopped red-hot metal can fly away and burn painfully. Necessarily - closed clothes - I'm in a windbreaker, in an apron - glasses also do not interfere. Shoes - boots, pants out, otherwise if a piece of metal flies - you have to dance!
In the old days, blacksmithing was held in high esteem. Not everyone could master it, not everyone had the opportunity to acquire essential tool and set up a workshop. Now you can make a forge with your own hands without attracting serious funds. Even simple design will give an opportunity to heat the metal to the required temperature and try your hand at forging.
Forge
People with creative inclinations involved in design work are often faced with the desire to use decorative metal elements. self made. You can make such things with the help of forging.
Thin sheet metal can be stamped, bent or minted even without heating. A thick workpiece cannot be processed without this. Making a tool out of carbon steel is all the more worth trying.
If you equip a blacksmith shop with a hearth and a massive anvil, you can not turn special attention to the thickness of the work piece. When heated, it will be able to be forged, bent and flattened. The main thing in this process is a properly equipped forge.
It may not be possible for everyone to do it with their own hands, but for a true connoisseur of the craft, familiar with the device, features and principle of operation of the device, this will be possible. As experienced craftsmen assure, a simple forge can be equipped even with six bricks.
Purpose of the bugle
The steel billet must be heated to a light orange color before forging. This will approximately correspond to a temperature of 1000-1100 ° C. In this state, the metal can be deformed by a percussion tool.
Cooling down, the workpiece becomes less ductile, it is more difficult to forge. And if you use a heavier tool, the metal becomes brittle and prone to cracking. The only option is to keep the forging temperature constant. However, over 1000°C cannot be achieved in a conventional oven. This requires a hearth with forced air supply.
A blacksmith's forge, made by one's own hands, can be used to heat the metal to the forging temperature. In addition, it can also be used for other jobs. It is suitable for melting metal and its subsequent pouring into a mold, for hardening tools, for soldering using brass and copper.
Varieties of designs
First you need to decide what type of fuel the metal will be heated. Traditionally, forges used charcoal or coal (coke) for these purposes. Except solid fuel you can use natural mains and liquefied gas, as well as petroleum products (gasoline, fuel oil, white spirit, etc.).
Depending on the type of fuel, the design of the working zone of the hearth will differ. It will also depend on the method and location of the outbreak. If this is a stationary structure, then it makes sense to make the base massive and solid, using bricks and a channel for removing combustion products.
For mobile forge better fit lightweight, collapsible version of the hearth. It is convenient because in winter you can work indoors, and in summer, if necessary, the workshop is taken out into the fresh air. This design is easy to disassemble and transport to the desired location.
Another feature is open or closed chamber burning. If a home-made forge has a vault or a round shape, then the metal in it will heat up faster, since heat loss is noticeably reduced. On the other hand, it will be impossible to work with long or massive workpieces in a closed hearth, and this must be taken into account immediately.
You should start by choosing the type of base. For a stationary hearth, a brick is suitable, for a mobile hearth - metal constructions. The base must be on optimal height for convenience. The hearth for solid fuel assumes the presence of a working combustion zone. It can be lined with refractory bricks, lined or made of steel plate.
Another important element is the grate, which keeps the coals in the combustion zone and gives access to the air flow, which inflates the heat from below. Injection is usually made through a pipeline with a flow regulator. The source of pressurization is a vacuum cleaner with reverse air supply, a hair dryer, a “snail” with an engine from a car stove. There are drawings of a forge, where a turbine is used from a hand-held siren or fur, as was done in the old days. The hearth may have side walls and a vault with a channel for the removal of combustion products.
The designs of furnaces operating on liquid or gaseous fuels are distinguished by the absence of a grate. The combustible mixture and air are supplied through an opening in the housing. For these purposes, a piece of a thick-walled pipe or a tank that has served its purpose from a household compressor, lined with refractory material, is often adapted. The hearths are also laid out in the form of a cube of heat-resistant bricks.
Principle of operation
Even a person who does not have blacksmithing experience can assemble a blacksmith's forge with his own hands from six bricks. The device can work from pressurization gasoline burner. Two bricks are laid flat on the ground - this will be the bottom. Two more are placed on them with an edge - these are the walls. Moreover, the back of the bricks is reduced to limit heat loss. By their arrangement it is also possible, to some extent, to regulate the temperature within the working area. The last two bricks are laid on top - this will be the vault.
Grids can be made from a 4 mm steel strip. Two pieces of a half-inch pipe are placed along the walls. They put grates on them. Moreover, they need to be wrapped in the central part with a “propeller” so that the air flow is captured by the planes and directed upwards, where the coal is located.
The gasoline burner is ignited and sent to the furnace. It can immediately be buried in the ground and fenced off with a sheet of asbestos from the heat of the working area. To do this, a hole is made and a stream of burning gasoline vapor is directed through it to ignite coal. The temperature is maintained by the burner adjustment valve.
solid fuel forge
For one-time or infrequent blacksmithing, you can equip the hearth simply on the ground by digging a recess of the required size and laying it out with refractory bricks. It is most suitable for heating metal with solid fuel. Another option for table material is a thick (at least 5 mm) steel plate. You will also need to install a grate made of steel strip or cast iron. It can be replaced and steel pipe air supply. Her butt is brewed. In the combustion zone, the grinder cuts slotted grooves through which the outgoing air will disperse the heat.
How to make a blacksmith's forge simple and mobile? You can weld the frame from improvised materials and install a steel countertop on them. Interesting, convenient and practical design of the base from the old gas stove. A tabletop with a combustion zone is installed on top. The oven serves to house a vacuum cleaner or other source of air. Below there is also a compartment for tools and accessories.
Craftsmen consider this version of the hearth the most economical and effective. Gas is an inexpensive and affordable fuel. The design of the hearth is simpler for it, since there is no need for a grate. Adjusting the gas supply with a tap is convenient, which means that you can achieve the required temperature in working area It will be easier. The hearth design may consist of a minimum set of elements. It is enough to adapt a suitable base for it.
However, it also has its own peculiarities. Gas is an explosive substance, so you need to work even more carefully. Adjusting the supply of a combustible mixture also requires experience and practice. Otherwise, everything is not so difficult. A brick cube is folded according to the size of the planned blanks. Back wall- deaf. In front, the hole is covered with bricks or equipped with a door. From above, a place is equipped for the entrance of the pipe through which combustible mixture. Its length in different schemes is different. There are masters who make it up to 1.5 m long, and they say that this way the mixing of the combustible mixture goes better.
natural or liquefied gas after the reducer is fed into this pipe through a nozzle. That's where air gets blown in. The intensity of combustion is controlled by the gas supply and the blowing speed. Above the mountain, when working indoors, it is necessary to equip the hood. Otherwise, the designs can either become more complicated (lining, thermocouples, forced removal of combustion products, additional dampers) or, conversely, be simplified.
There are no standards for a home craftsman. The main thing is to know the principle of operation, select materials, withstand technology, obtain the required temperature and at the same time observe safety precautions.
Hand forging is becoming more and more popular - both to meet your own needs and to produce various products to order. Heating of the metal, in order to improve its plastic characteristics, must be carried out in special heating devices, the simplest of which is a forge. the main task hearth - to ensure a stable increase in the temperature of the metal to forging temperatures, i.e., not less than 1200 ° C. How to make a homemade blacksmith forge, and whether this is possible in principle, is discussed below.
Classification of types of blacksmith forges
It can be made according to the following main indicators:
- By type of fuel used. There are gas furnaces, as well as devices operating on solid (coal) or liquid (fuel oil) fuel.
- By design features open and closed forges are being built.
- According to the size of the hearth (effective surface) - small, medium and large.
Solid fuel forges, for which it is necessary to use coking coal - a spectacular for video filming, but an outdated technical solution. This will require not only to ensure a continuous supply of high-quality charcoal, but also to come to terms with technological shortcomings, including:
- uneven heating;
- inability to control the process;
- high sulfur content, which will increase brittleness during forging;
- increased fuel consumption, it can be up to 120 - 150% of the weight;
- low efficiency of the device, accompanied by significant waste.
Nevertheless, such designs in the conditions of a single production of products can be used at home, especially if these are mini-forges running on cheap fuel oil.
Forge design
To create more favorable conditions blacksmith's work it is more expedient to build closed forges. Although they are somewhat more difficult to manufacture, they are more efficient and provide uniform heating of workpieces, in particular, round or rectangular cross-sections. Open hearths remain for art forging forges of insignificant size products.
The forge forge of the closed type consists of the following elements:
- steel support frame with uprights;
- hearth;
- linings;
- slide gate;
- fan;
- flue pipes.
If during forging it is necessary to heat the metal not completely, then technological holes are made in the damper. They are equipped with closing eyes, which are necessary in order to reduce fuel losses and speed up the heating process.
When arranging a workshop, it is economical to equip the forge with a simple recuperator - a unit that increases the temperature of the exhaust gases from the furnace. Forges with recuperators have a higher efficiency, and the heat generated can be used, for example, for a furnace that performs post-treatment forged products- their forge welding, bluing, etc.
Stages of making a homemade forge
How to make a blacksmith's forge, and where to start? To make a closed hearth, you first need to determine the dimensions of its hearth. They are determined by the desired performance, and depend on the fuel consumption and the intensity of the forge. For gas version The optimal fuel supply rate can be taken as 1–1.5 m/s: in this case, the heat transfer processes in the enclosed space will proceed quite efficiently.
The tension of the hearth H is related to the productivity of the hearth N by a simple relationship:
where F is the area of the hearth.
Taking into account the area allotted for the forge, as well as the expected forging productivity (for example, in kg of products), it is possible to establish the actual minimum tension of the hearth (it should not be less than 100 - 150 kg / m 2 ∙ h, otherwise the arrangement of even a mini-version of the heating installation turns out to be disadvantageous).
In order to make a horn with your own hands, you will need the following materials:
- thick sheet heat-resistant steel;
- refractory brick (chamotte or dinas);
- steel shaped rolled metal (corners, channels) for mounting the hearth frame, manufacturing dampers and support posts;
- steel chimneys for the removal of gases generated during the heating of products;
- refractory coating for sealing cracks;
- sheet or wide strip steel for the outer lining.
The design of an open hearth is much simpler - there it is necessary to equip only a system of grates, and provide air supply, which intensifies the heating process. In this case, a conventional ventilation hood made of heat-resistant steel is sufficient to remove combustion products.
In addition, during construction, it makes sense to use standard nodes. Here we should mention a fan for a hearth, which can be taken as units produced for double-circuit boilers high power. Also suitable ventilation pipes and steel chimneys designed for flue gases at 300 - 400 ° C. You can equip the forge with your own hands using burners from powerful double-circuit boilers.
Base frame manufacturing
Since the forge is a stationary unit, you should clearly determine its location. At home, not all of the workshop can be used as a forge. But, of course, the hearth should adjoin one of its walls, preferably one that does not communicate with adjacent buildings, since in this case it is much more difficult to equip chimneys and install a fan for the hearth.
Terms fire safety the structure must be separated from the main wall of the workshop by at least 1 m, while any use of materials with reduced fire resistance (including GKLO brand drywall) is excluded.
In the manufacture of the support frame, it is advisable to use ready-made drawings that can be bought or downloaded on the Internet. The dimensions of the forge / mini-forge are consistent with their own capabilities. It is good if the drawings are also accompanied by a photo and / or video of a working forge.
The support posts and frame are made welded, for which low-alloy steel 09G2S is usually used. It has sufficient strength, is easily and reliably welded, and is resistant to high-temperature corrosion. The step of the lamellar cells of the support frame is determined by the dimensions of the refractory. In the finished frame, holes are provided for the subsequent fastening of the elements of the outer lining.
Making a hearth and vault
When choosing refractories for the arrangement of the upper part, they are guided by considerations of durability, the type of heated products, as well as the intensity of use of the forge. Chamotte and dinas are used more often than others.
Chamotte is made according to specifications GOST 390-79. It is very dangerous to buy non-certified products, because it is sometimes difficult to distinguish fireclay bricks by color from ordinary fireclay bricks, which melt already at 1200 ° C. Fireclay bricks suitable for masonry should be cream-colored and have low porosity. In this case, its weight is at least 5 kg. There are enough demo videos on the Internet that can be used to distinguish quality products. For the construction of a hearth, the ShPD, SHA and SHB brands are suitable.
Download GOST 390-79 "Refractory fireclay and semi-acid products for general purposes"
In artisanal conditions, it is able to give temperatures up to 1200 degrees, which is quite enough for forging steel. However, how difficult is it to make and what do you need to know about the requirements for the hearth? How to make a simple forge forge with your own hands and what types of furnaces can you assemble in your workshop? More on this later in our article.
Even 100-120 years ago, the main type of fuel was coal, all the main production equipment, including forges, worked on it. Today, a variety of fuels makes it possible to make different kinds ovens, up to almost a "pocket" format, but quite effective and efficient.
For example, in the video presented, a homemade forging forge made from a tin can and a small gas burner.
Depending on the type of fuel used and design features, the following types of forging hearths are distinguished.
- Gas, liquid and solid fuel.
- With open and closed hearth.
- Portable and stationary.
Which of these types to choose and make will depend on the planned work and the size of the workpieces being processed.
How to make a gas horn
Despite the time-tested solid fuel types foci, gas analogues have much more advantages.
The main positive aspects are economical fuel consumption, uniform heating of the workpiece, sulfur does not accumulate on the heated metal, higher useful action.
How to make a gas forge with your own hands and what is needed for this?
Usually, each master makes any device for a home-made forge furnace for himself and his personal preferences. But the basic design concept is the same. Forge forge device gas fuel consists of two parts: furnace and gas burner.
A good device can be assembled, guided by this video:
- For such a design, a metal container is required: a barrel, a bucket, or something similar.
- On the side with a crown, you need to make a hole for the gas supply system to the hearth.
- The burner itself can be assembled from elements of pipes and couplings.
- For the legs on which such a forge will stand, you need to drill holes in the bottom of the tank and use fasteners from long bolts and nuts.
- The lining of the hearth is made by filling alabaster with the addition of water and sand. In this case, it is necessary to form the inner walls. How the casing can be used ceramic pipe(as in the video) or form a hearth using a suitable bottle.
- When the lining is ready, you need to drill a hole for the gas supply.
The advantage of this design is its compactness, mobility, and, most importantly, it is possible to control the heating temperature of the workpiece (different steels have different forging temperatures).
Also gas type the forge can be assembled from bricks. To do this, you need to purchase a refractory type of this wall material. To bond it together, it is better to use clay.
To supply gas in a brick structure, a hole is drilled for an existing burner.
Important! When using a gas forge in the workshop, there must be a powerful forced ventilation to remove combustion products!
As fuel, you can use ordinary household gas, which is sold in bottles and is relatively cheap. And most importantly, its stock can be replenished at any gas station!
Such a homemade propane forge allows you to heat many grades of steel to the required temperature.
Production of a solid fuel forge
The combustion of solid fuel by itself cannot give the desired temperature, therefore, to increase it, such structures must have an additional air supply system. The device of the furnace itself will also depend on personal preferences and the size of the workpieces being processed.
In the old workshops, furs were previously used for this, shaking which created a powerful stream of air supplied to the hearth.
How to assemble such a solid fuel forge?
The simplest design is an open-top oven installed outdoors. Its advantage is that you do not need to bother with the arrangement of powerful ventilation.
- Initially poured concrete base preferably with reinforcement.
- The base is initially assembled on it using ordinary wall bricks. This table can be any comfortable height. In this case, you need to leave a hole in one of the walls. The so-called blower. The result should be a square or rectangle.
- The next step is to assemble the actual lower surface of the furnace (underneath). It is assembled from refractory bricks, which are laid on the base, for example, from steel corners.
- In the center of the future hearth, a hole is left for the grate. For the manufacture of this element, heat-resistant material is used. Ideal for cast iron stove old stove. You need to pre-drill holes in it.
- When the grate is installed, the walls are folded from the same refractory brick.
- A hole is made in one of the walls for the air supply system. It can be drilled out using a drill and diamond crown. Or leave it before laying.
- If the top is being assembled, then the chimney will also have to be folded, otherwise there will be no draft in a closed furnace, and even indoors.
When the work is completed, mount the air supply system. Here you can set electric fan in the pipe. Or design as shown in the video:
Such a simple device is quite suitable for forging with your own hands. Despite their primitive design, these ovens have been used for hundreds of years, although there are drawbacks.
The main disadvantage is the difficulty in controlling the process and the uneven heating of the workpieces. Also quite low efficiency in comparison with gas and higher fuel consumption.
Liquid Devices
It is possible to equip the forge with liquid fuel, using mining, diesel fuel or fuel oil as the last one.
The difficulty lies in supplying the right amount of fuel to the combustion chamber.
When assembling such a furnace, they mount a fuel tank and a system for supplying it to the hearth - a nozzle. The main problem is that the fuel is sprayed into fine dust, then the system will be effective.
For more high temperature air supply will also need to be arranged. It is best to use an electric fan.
However, a liquid fuel forging furnace is quite difficult to maintain and assemble. It is much easier to assemble a gas analogue, and the fuel will be much cheaper, and it will take less. But some craftsmen collect such furnaces and use them for their forge.
When deciding which type of forge to assemble with your own hands, you need to be guided by the needs and planned types of work. Forged knives do not require large sizes hearth and, if such small forgings are created, it is not worth collecting a large stationary structure. It is much easier to make a small portable type of stove, preferably gas-fired.
Of course, with the planned production of more massive products, it is best to make a stationary brick hearth with a powerful blower and hood.
The choice of fuel is also important. Gas is a cheaper and easier option, coal (charcoal or stone) is somewhat more difficult to use and more is needed in terms of the mass of the workpiece. What to choose depends on your preference and access to fuel supplies.
To take part in the discussion this material, go to the comments of this article. Leave your comments, supported by the experience of assembly and use various designs blacksmith forges.
