WARNING: Propane is
flammable gas. Make sure you observe all safety
issues when working with propane and high
heat (watch some guidelines here: youtube.com/
watch?v=HGIIayKuxxY). DO NOT OPERATE YOUR
FORGE INDOORS. Do not keep the propane tank
near the forge. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
The forge reaches temperatures over 1,800°F.
Use heavy gloves, a respirator, face mask and eye
protection and DO NOT wear clothing made from
synthetic fibers (polyester, nylon, rayon, dacron,
etc.); cotton or wool is best. And finally, buy yourself
a leather blacksmith’s or welder’s apron.
!
3" hole saw, then mounted a short length of pipe,
modified to hold the burner (Figure
D
). I drilled
and tapped three ⅜" holes spaced equally around
the perimeter of this pipe, at a height where
they're best positioned for my burner. The pipe
is welded to the steel plate to hold it in place; the
burner is held in place with three ⅜" bolts.
Now I was ready to “cure” the forge. I heated it
up for an hour each day for a week, progressively
increasing the heat so that any residual moisture
in the bricks boiled away.
HAMMER TIME
Finally I was ready to try the forge with a piece of
steel. Using the balance of the firebricks to close
the front and back of the forge, leaving a small
opening for the metal to be heated and airflow
for combustion, I heated up my first rod of steel
and proceeded to beat it into a flat shape using
a hammer and my anvil. Success! I now had a
working forge. To finish the project, I built a roll-
around stand for the forge and propane tank out
of the same bed-frame angle iron (Figure
E
).
Total cost, including the burner: about $325.
Building this has been very gratifying.
Although I am by no stretch of the imagination
a blacksmith, I do use their techniques in my
sculpting. I use the forge at least once a week and
it is holding up very well. I would, however, like to
figure out how to better insulate it so that I can
reach hotter temperatures.
I will also say, without hesitation, that the
forge should absolutely not be used for roasting
marshmallows. Marshmallows are full of sugar
and are bad for your health. Besides, if you stick
a marshmallow in the forge it will vaporize in a
millisecond.
D
E
My sculpture
Three Sisters.
Hammered,
welded steel with
oxidized patina.
101
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