BBQ for forging

[Draven]

Howdy folks! Since I've made a few knives out of flat steel that required no forging, and forging is where my real interest lies, I've decided to try and branch out, money permitting.

I'm trying to do it relatively cheaply since I'm on minimum wage, so I thought I'd try to heat the blade using a small barbecue. I'm sorta assuming I'd need to hook it up to an external supply of oxygen to get enough heat, is this correct? If so, would a hose connecting it to a hairdrier or something be enough? I've heard of this used for heat treating a blade but I don't know if it'd get it hot enough for forging.

Would the barbecue be able to take the heat? Ideally I don't want it melting and spilling hot coals all over me

Should I use any specific charcoal or just pick up a bag for barbecues?

Lastly, I've heard of people using the disposable barbecues for heat treating as well. Would this get hot enough and last long enough and resist melting/breaking apart to forge a small blade?

Thanks in advance!

Pete

 

[NatG]

Proper charcoal- from wood is best, the "briquettes just don't quite cut it, my "forge" is an old cooking pan with a slot cut out the side, a metal pipe was slipped down in the slot with holes drilled in it along the way, this was then fire cemented into place and the rest of the pan was lined with fire cement.

i aded a hair dryer to the end of the metal pipe and used that as a blower.

it gets up to a very bright red heat

 

[Draven]

I like that idea! Just to make sure I get what you mean, you cement the hose inside the pot and then line the inside with the fire cement? Reckon you could gimme a rough guesstimate about how thick the fire cement should be?

Thanks a lot! :You_Rock_

 

[Draven]

Just thought of another question!
Would a 5kilo anvil with a flat face of 125x60mm be large enough for making knives? I don't suppose I'd try to make anything with a blade of over 6" or so (excluding tang) on it . . .
Link: http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Axminster-Axminster-5-Kilo-Anvil-19775.htm

Cheers!

 

[Graham_S]

these are questions you really need to be asking across on british blades. there are many people over there who will be able to give you good advice.

 

[NatG]

here's the pic@

i've not used it to much but it seems to work and it's lasted quite well, using only it and these@

i made this

in about an afternoon

The picture is a shot of tyhe forge cooling down, the pipe sticking out the side sits on the base of the pan, this is then cemented in using fire cement, you can get it from most DIY shops, i found out that it helps if you create like a little valley with the tuyere( the tube) at the bottom, so that you have a focused "hot" point, it also gives you somewhere to rest your blade.

The tube has about 20 holes drilled in it and is attache to an old hairdryer, it works, but it's a bit primitive and quite hard to control

 

[NatG]

sorry, i don't know how to make the pics smaller and my screen won't scroll over to let me edit them

 

[forrestdweller]

i'm not a blacksmith, but i always like to watch them. i remember about one who used black coal and a fan similar in power to a hairdryer.
i just had a quick look at google and found lot's of info's about forge making.

"disappointed by the monkeys, god created man. then he renounced to further experiments." mark twain

 

[verloc]

Interesting NatG - think this could be just the trick for a bit of experimenting. - Nice big pics imho.

 

[Draven]

Thanks NatG! Upon suggesting this to dad he sacrificed a pot to me I'll try to find a bit of car exhaust or something as something the hose can fit onto. I'll try asking over on BB about the anvil, thanks for the suggestion Graham

Cheers folks!

 

[FGYT]

could also use an old car wheel
http://www.greenpete.co.uk/?page_id=29

or the end of a old gaz cylinder ie a 7.5kg Propane
im using the top to make mine as the gas tap hole can be used as the air in point bit like this one
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/index.php/DIY/Five-Hour-Forge.html

or as Mr Budd on here does a hole in the ground
http://www.davebudd.com/IronAgeBlacksmith.html


ATB

Duncan

 

[Draven]

Cheers FGYT I didn't realise there was a tut on BCUK! I looked on the BB tutorial section but didn't think of looking here

Pete