Propane forge refractory question | Page 2 | The Forge Fire | Forum

Hey Ryan, I broke my venturi forge down here: http://blacksmith.org/forums/t.....cro-Forges

Also a picture of my bigger fan driven forge as well.

Gary Whitman;16500 wrote: I've been reading about using castable refractory and was wondering how you fire it initially. I see that the manufacturer's recommendations are for a pretty long term initial heating with a gradual increase in temperature over time, and I don't have the equipment/time for the manufacturers recommendations. Am I looking at the wrong product, or are the manufacturers recommendations overkill? I like the idea of using a castable too

Ideally the mud needs a couple of days to set. If you fire it too early, it will crack badly if not spall as all the steam tries to get out. A method I heard years ago that works great is to plant a light bulb inside the forge for a few days to provide a gentle warming. In my experience, the longer you let them cure without firing the better

GARY, You haven't said where you are located. If you are in the north west, Seattle Pottery Supply and Clay Arts in Tacoma stock Refectory suitable for forge building. Wayne has what you need, but is a bit further away. A search of the NWBA forums will provide you with a lot of information regards forge and burner construction. Keep asking here too. From any four blacksmiths you'll likely get five or six answers. Most of them will work too!
I'm going back to the shop now.
Jeff