BBQ Forge?

[telwebb]

I'm sure this is in here somewhere - unless its an even dafter question than I suspect - but I can't find it, so...

Can a shop-bought BBQ be used as a basic home forge? Don't know if they get, or can get, hot enough or if there might be other issues?

Thanks

 

[Woodcutter]

I've made 3 knives from scratch, using BBQ for heat treatment and all came out fine. Had one tested too and was 59rc. There are loads of tutorials about. Try British blades.

 

[Retired Member southey]

here you go dude, i knew I'd read a recent thread about this.

 

[Matt.S]

Are you wanting a forge for forging steel to shape or a heat source for heat-treating your blades?

I figure that a ground forge is much better than a barbeque. It's essentially a hole the size of your two fists put together dug into the earth, and an air pipe poked into the side of the hole.

 

[telwebb]

Initially I'm just after a convenient heat source for annealing/heat treating. The BBQ thought was about convenience more than anything as I don't have any grounds.

 

[Whittler Kev]

My first one was a BBQ and I blew air on it using an airline. For take 2, I then drilled holes in the bottom of it, fixed a tin can underneath, enclosing the holes, and attached the airline to the can via a metal pipe and some hose. Worked well and could easily get files to non magnetic. Progressed a little since then though

 

[telwebb]

My first one was a BBQ and I blew air on it using an airline. For take 2, I then drilled holes in the bottom of it, fixed a tin can underneath, enclosing the holes, and attached the airline to the can via a metal pipe and some hose. Worked well and could easily get files to non magnetic. Progressed a little since then though

Thats what I had in mind - there was one in B&Q today reduced to a tenner, 'pre-holed' an' all! Pretty sure I can rig an old fan to a diffuser underneath....think I'll give it a go.