How to make a gas forge with your own hands: drawings and construction technology

Equipment for heat treatment of metals is an expensive pleasure. Not every novice master is ready to shell out a substantial amount of money to purchase it. But there are technologies according to which you can build a gas forge with your own hands without much difficulty and expense.

In the article we presented you will find a detailed description of the assembly of the main attribute of blacksmithing. We will talk about how the forge works and its structural components. We will show you how to achieve the temperature required for melting and forging workpieces.

We offer independent home craftsmen to familiarize themselves with homemade products proven by blacksmith practice. You will learn what materials, ready-made devices and tools are required in the manufacture of a forge. Gain insight into the complex process and valuable advice.

Gas horn

Also, household gas contains particles of silicon, sulfur and phosphorus, which can negatively affect the metal. For example, sulfur will only deteriorate steel upon contact, changing its operational advantages into disadvantages. And this can lead to significant financial losses.

Considering the above, a homemade gas forge for forging can operate on household gas only if it is first purified from sulfur. To do this, the gas must be passed through a container with naphthalene, which will absorb all excess. It is also advisable to forge only decorative elements using blue fuel, and not parts that will be subject to heavy loads in the future.

Fuel

The following can be used as fuel:

Small coke. Pre-kindling is done with firewood, on which coal is placed. The ignition temperature of coke is up to 600 degrees, so it is placed last.
Charcoal burns better because it has a microporous structure.
Coal. When burned, it should reach the carbon stage. It burns worse than coke, so it is used for forging less critical products.
Firewood. They are burned in the shell so that harmful impurities do not reach the metal.
Working with waste oil.

Forge

Creative people involved in decorative work often show a desire to use handmade metal parts in their decorations. You can make such elements in a forge if you have the necessary skills and materials.

Quite thin sheet metal can be minted, bent, and attempted to be stamped even without heating. However, thick workpieces can only be processed at high temperatures. And only master blacksmiths can make something from carbon steel.

If you have a fireplace in the workshop, as well as an anvil, you can not pay attention to the thickness of the workpiece. When heated to a thousand degrees, such a metal will bend, flatten and forge like plasticine. The most important thing in this work is a properly constructed forge that can heat the metal to the required temperature.

Not everyone will be able to make such a forge with their own hands, but for a person familiar with the structure and operating principle of this device, this should not be difficult. Experienced blacksmiths claim that the simplest forge can be made from 6 bricks.

Home gas forge

To make a simple home gas forge, you can use parts from an old bicycle. If you turn the sprocket from the gearbox on a lathe, the device can operate on butane or propane and heat closed furnaces of small volume. An important condition for using a portable design is to prohibit the operation of the burner with acetylene, since the high temperature of the flame can burn the former “star” and the stove will simply explode.

Assembling such a device is not difficult, and a homemade forge for forge is not much inferior to industrial ones, but is much cheaper. The main thing is to follow safety rules during manufacture and use.

Heating the workpiece in a forge

Two main and only properties are required from a forge furnace: to produce a very high temperature, up to 1200 – 1500°C, and the ability to maintain the desired temperature for a certain time. In other words, we need strong and even heat.

At what temperature do metals become forgeable, that is, begin to be ductile? This is different for all metals and alloys. But the visual sign that the metal part has heated up to the required temperature is also common - this is the orange color of the part.

Drawing of a blacksmith's forge.

The only metal that behaves quite meanly and does not change its color when heated is aluminum. It is not the easiest metal to forge and weld in principle; with aluminum you need to know and apply many special requirements.

So, the absence of an orange color while it has already warmed up for forging is a significant factor that makes it difficult to work with this capricious metal and its alloys. After all, you can’t overheat. Underheating is also no good.

How the device works

Before you build a forge, you need to decide on its type. The closed-type forge has a chamber for heating the workpiece. This model is considered the most economical in terms of fuel consumption. But in this case, the blanks are limited in size.

In an open-type forge, fuel is poured from above onto the grate, and an air flow is supplied from below. The heated workpiece is placed on the fuel. This makes it possible to heat large-sized workpieces.

In order to be able to build a homemade forge without losing its quality of work and at the same time saving money, you should understand the principle of its operation. The device is based on a significant increase in temperature due to the chemical method of carbon combustion.

This process gives a high energy yield and has been used for many centuries to smelt various metals. To prevent the cupola from allowing the material to burn, you should supply it with slightly less oxygen than is needed for complete oxidation, otherwise the products will be too fragile and, accordingly, will last only a few years.

The nuances of self-production

How can you make a homemade blacksmith's forge? To do this, you will need drawings of a heating device model that suits you and the room where the equipment will be located.

Forges differ in the types of heating chambers.

Closed heating chambers. They are the most efficient because they minimize fuel consumption while providing excellent heating of workpieces. But the blanks themselves are limited in size, since they depend on the dimensions of the chamber.
Open heating chambers. This design provides that fuel is poured onto the grate, and air is supplied from below. The metal blank is placed on the fuel. Although fuel consumption is slightly higher, larger workpieces can be used.

How to make a blacksmith's forge in order to be able to forge iron at home? Let's consider each stage of construction of the structure.

Photo of a handmade forge

Table. The table is the basis of a homemade forge. The drawings show that building this element is quite simple. Typically the table height is up to 80 centimeters, and 5 millimeter thick metal is used for the lid. The working surface can have different sizes. It all depends on what kind of metal workpieces you are going to work with. Another option for building a table is to use angle iron to create a frame. Bricks and a grate are laid inside it. The grill should be positioned in the center.
The grid is mounted in a hole made in the table. Then the fire brick is closed on all sides. Select the height of the table directly to your height so that the structure is at waist level.
Blowing For the forge to work effectively, it requires high-quality air supply. Due to oxygen, the temperature rises and the metal begins to melt. Traditional forge designs used a foot-driven blower. But now everyone has the opportunity to use electricity, so the optimal solution is an electric fan or an old vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner supplies air with the required force. If you have a speed controller, you will get a chic homemade horn.
Now all the structural elements are assembled into a single system - a homemade metalworking forge.
Pour the required amount of fuel onto the grate. First use wood chips and medium wood, after which comes the turn of coke. Turn on the blower and place your workpiece over the fuel. A small amount of coke may be added on top of the iron. If there is no coke or there are large reserves of wood waste, you can use them.

This is a model of a simple blacksmith's forge. If you have the desire or opportunity, you can significantly improve your own equipment for blacksmithing, bringing it closer to the features of an industrial forge.

What does an industrial forge have?

Professional blacksmiths use industrial forges, which are characterized by increased efficiency and high reliability. It is almost impossible to make an industrial forge yourself. But somehow bringing a homemade model closer to the ideal is quite possible.

What is different about an industrial forge, and what components are included in its design?

Air supply nozzle. Homemade forges use the hose of an old vacuum cleaner to supply air instead of a nozzle;
Fire brick. There is a complete analogy between home and industrial devices;
Grate. Most homemade forges involve the use of a grate. Many people make it from old frying pans with thick walls;
Solid fuel socket. This slot allows you to conveniently load the required amount of solid fuel. Equipping a homemade forge with such an element will not be a problem;
Frame bricks. These are already stationary devices that are laid with bricks. For a simple forge, such elements are already superfluous;
Air supply fan. We looked at an example with a conventional vacuum cleaner, which does a good job of pumping air. If you want, you can use fans or other similar devices;
Metal carcass. The table is supported on its basis;
Air chamber. Homemade forges do not have it, but if you need professional equipment, equipping the device with a camera will not be a bad idea;
Ash pit. If you are going to regularly use your forge at home, we recommend equipping it with an ash pan. This will make it easier to care for the device;
Forge casing.

Closed model of a gas forge

The main difference from the open variety is that such a forge is framed in a body, usually in the form of a cube, and there is a forced exhaust. The body is usually made of fire bricks with a metal lid that extends into the hood. The dimensions of closed forges are small; for home use it does not exceed 80x100cm. You will need to insert a door into the front panel.

There is a hole in the side wall for mounting a gas burner. An important condition is the installation of forced exhaust (with a 30x30cm channel); for this, engines from an old vacuum cleaner, car heating oven, etc. are often used.

Making a forge from a potbelly stove

Essentially, this is the same potbelly stove, only without the grate. The appearance of blacksmiths can be in the form of a cube, parallelepiped and cylinder. After cleaning the grate, the air does not come from the space below, but is blown through a side channel, which can be adjusted. As a result, the oven heats up better. It retains gases longer, which also increases the heat.

The manufacturing procedure is as follows:

From a pipe with a diameter of up to 300 mm, a ring 100 mm wide is cut. This part is called a collar.
A sheet 4 mm thick is taken and a circle equal to the diameter of the collar is cut out of it. This will be the door.
A piece of pipe for air supply is cut off. It can be from 76 to 102 mm.
The damper is inserted into it using a handle, a spring and a nut.
A strip 30 mm wide and length equal to the perimeter of the door is cut out of a 3 mm sheet.
The strip fits around the door and gets scalded.
A hole is drilled in the side of the door and a pipe for air supply is welded there.
Using a locking device, the door is attached to the collar.
This unit is installed on the firebox with a distance of 100 mm from the bottom.
In the back part, at the top, a hole is cut and a chimney is installed.

The disadvantages of such a stove include the absence of an ash pan. However, longer combustion results in improved combustion of solid waste. Ash removal can be done less frequently.

Features of a household forge

Due to the high cost of melting plants, not every user can buy such special-purpose equipment. For domestic needs, it is not difficult to assemble a gas forge with your own hands, provided that the shape, power and design of the pressurization system are correctly determined. A simple household forge for artistic forging or casting of non-ferrous metal can be assembled from several fireclay bricks and sheet steel.

Making a forge at home for working with ferrous metal is not difficult. You can make the simplest design from a metal container, in the side of which you need to make a hole for a gas burner. The fuel supply system can be assembled from a piece of pipe and coupling; long bolts are suitable for the supporting structure under the container. The lining of a gas fireplace is carried out by filling a solution of alabaster or gypsum, sand and water.

The forge must be equipped with a protective casing, a ceramic tube or a bottle of suitable size. After lining and drilling a hole for the gas supply, the device is installed in a convenient place, but at a distance from flammable materials. The advantages of the design include the ability to move the furnace and regulate the degree of heating of the workpiece, which is especially convenient when working with different forging materials.

Making a stove from a blowtorch

When making a forge for forging with your own hands, the blowtorch must be installed in a recess, around the perimeter of which fireclay bricks with a grate must be laid. When laying refractory bricks, it is necessary to maintain the distance between the enclosing elements in order to ensure the flow of air masses into the combustion chamber. The angle of location of the blocks of building material relative to each other is determined by the master.

Charcoal or coke is poured into a recess made of bricks on a grate, and a pipe is put on the blowtorch, which is fed under the grate. The blank for forging is placed in the gap between the brickwork, and the coal concentrate is ignited from below. To remove smoke, a probe, tent or chimney is installed above the grate.

Framing the walls

This forge will be small in size, its internal dimensions are only 12 x 18 x 24 cm. But for my work this is quite enough. Due to the small size, only three bricks were needed for the walls, and all I had to do was weld the metal corners at the corners.

Adjusting the burner operation

Attention! Subsequent work is a fire and explosion hazard, because

are carried out with open fire and flammable gas - propane. They must be carried out in strict compliance with Fire Safety standards and the following requirements:

carry out all work in a well-ventilated area;
remove (reliably de-energize) all spark-producing equipment;
the workplace must be prepared for work: everything unnecessary should be removed not only from the workbench, but also from the floor, ensuring clear passageways in case of force majeure;
prepare: primary fire extinguishing equipment for flammable gas;
medical first aid kit.

The burner flame is adjusted in the following sequence:

open the valve on the fuel source, supply gas to the burner and light it;
Gradually move the nozzle tube towards blocking the four air intake holes and achieve stable combustion. Additionally, the burner flame should be adjusted by changing the gas supply. Having obtained a flame of the desired intensity and shape, the position of the tube and nozzle should be fixed with a clamp screw (4 in the figure).

Such a burner will operate steadily and produce an even flame sufficient to heat small parts to the required temperature.

This is interesting: Opening a blacksmith shop with manual equipment for artistic forging: short and clear

Burner hole

Determine the location where the burner will go. Many people like it when the entrance is located at the top and the flame is directed downward. And some people prefer to have multiple burners. I choose an economical approach, and I also love when what I do looks good. That's why I like the single burner at the back of the forge with the flame pointing upward. Place bricks on the bottom and draw a circle where you have chosen the location of the burner. Using a concrete drill, make many holes around the perimeter of the drawn circle. Drill the holes partially at first and, having made a circle, continue again, adding side-to-side movements to punch through the brick and merge adjacent holes. If you take your time, the cutout can turn out relatively smooth. Trace a hole on the metal bottom and cut it out using a gas (plasma) cutter.

Design of the gas supply channel in the burner

The gas supply channel is a copper or brass tube of the following sizes:

outer diameter 6 mm;
wall thickness not less than 1 mm.

This tube is equipped with:

on one side there is a gas valve with a hose that goes to the gas source (main pipeline, cylinder, etc.);
on the other hand, the nipple from the kerosene stove is mounted. In this case, it is necessary to do the following: sharpen the working part of the nipple to a cone;
cut an M5 thread inside the pipe and screw the nipple into it (it already has a standard M5 external thread).

Principle of operation

The principle of operation of the forge is based on the chemical reaction of combustion of carbon, which, when reacting with oxygen, forms carbon dioxide with the release of heat. In addition, metal recovery occurs, which is a very important aspect for the formation of homogeneous, high-strength parts.

To maintain an optimal level of combustion and temperature, air ducts and air chambers are installed inside the fuel chamber, which forcefully pump pure oxygen. Due to this, it is possible to obtain temperatures above +1000°C, which are unattainable with conventional combustion of solid fuel (coal or wood).

What does a DIY gas forge look like?

At the same time, using the inflation technology, the volume of air is selected so that there is always a slight lack of oxygen for the oxidation reaction to occur. In other words, it is necessary to select an operating mode to prevent metal combustion.

The time the smelted part remains in the furnace should also be limited, since in an atmosphere of carbon dioxide the metal will begin to react with it and form a high-strength alloy with increased fragility. These negative consequences can be avoided by introducing additional oxygen into the chamber in such an amount that carbon dioxide has time to completely react.

Operating principle of the installation

Before you begin assembling a thermal installation, you need to understand the principles of operation of a homemade forge for forging metal in order to simplify the design of the furnace for home use. The operation of the device is based on the energy output when burning a mixture of carbon and oxygen, the percentage of metal released in molten form. During the smelting process, carbon stops the oxidation reaction of the metal; constant injection of gas into the fuel quickly increases the temperature in the forge.

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.

When developing a drawing of a future blacksmith's device, special attention should be paid to the type of energetic substance that affects the design of the hearth. The type of fuel for the forge 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, a thermal furnace can have an open or closed hearth zone. The home craftsman should remember that household gas can be used in a furnace only after preliminary purification from sulfur by “running” it through liquid naphthalene. Products made from metal heated by a gas burner cannot be used as loaded parts.

The main requirement for ensuring the safety of the master is the installation of a powerful forced ventilation system, even if a household soldering apparatus running on bottled gas is used to construct the forge. The device will allow you to produce decorative elements for interior and exterior in your own garage.

Principle of operation

Useful tips

Cutting a small hole in the back of the forge will improve ventilation. In addition, this cutout allows you to heat long metal workpieces.
The forge is placed on a special metal stand or table, which makes working with it more convenient. The height is selected individually by the master.
If a forge shop works with workpieces of different sizes and shapes, then it is advisable to install several forges of different dimensions at once. They are placed close to each other, and gas and air are supplied using flexible hoses. This design solution allows you to quickly reconnect the burners.
Each gas pipeline must have a shut-off valve. For this purpose, conventional valves are most often used - they provide smoother adjustment, unlike ball analogues.

The main thing in creating a forge with your own hands is to understand the principle of operation, select the right materials and follow safety precautions. Such equipment is created by craftsmen based on personal preferences, wishes and requirements, which provides wide scope for activity.

We make a gas forge with our own hands - two design options

One of the necessary equipment for our workshop is a forge.
If you do more than just cold forging (we wrote about it here), then you can’t do without it. In principle, it is now possible to buy almost everything, including this product.

But when you see the cost (and the price for the cheapest models starts from 48,000 rubles), the thought involuntarily arises: is it possible to make it yourself? The answer is simple - you can, and quite simply.

Traditionally, coal (wood or stone) is used for such a “firebox”. But considering that we have no problems with gas in our country, we will consider just such a design. From a practical point of view, it is much more convenient and easier to manufacture. It is worth noting that in this case there is no difference what kind of gas it will be - main gas or from cylinders.

Advantages of a gas forge

Ease of construction. If only because there will be no usual grates in such a stove.
Possibility of adjusting the heating temperature.
Cheapness and availability of fuel.
Low manufacturing costs.
Mobility. Given its light weight, it is easy to carry from place to place.

variant of the forge drawing

It should immediately be noted that there is no single standard for such a forge. It is only necessary to comply with certain requirements for working with gas equipment. The main thing is to understand the principle of operation of the oven and heating of workpieces. And the dimensions and location of the main constituent elements are at the discretion of the user.

Each amateur blacksmith arranges a forge “for himself”, how it is more convenient and expedient to use it. For example, instead of the usual masonry, you can install a thick-walled metal tank under the stove. Some craftsmen even adapt an ordinary bucket for these purposes.

Actually, it all depends on the imagination of the amateur “designer” and his capabilities. What do you need to know? There are 2 types of such stoves, and it is impossible to say unequivocally which “model” is better. Let us briefly consider the design principle of each of them, and the choice is at the discretion of those wishing to engage in hot forging of metals.

All descriptions below are just individual examples of designs.

Open

It is a metal “form” that is installed on a fireproof base. This could be a small concrete area (floor), several fireproof bricks laid nearby.

It is advisable to mount a stand, in the lower part of which there is a tray for placing parts to be heated. On the sides there are vertical posts, which are fastening elements for installation on top of the gas burner.

Naturally, its nozzle should be directed downward.

With this design, smoke is removed naturally, so there is no need to install a “hood,” which greatly simplifies the design. However, it must be taken into account that such a forge should be placed either in the open air or in a well-ventilated room where there is no risk of smoke.

Burner

Requires a separate description. This structural element is an integral part of any forge. For its body (as an option) a stainless steel pipe is taken. One end is either welded tightly or closed with a removable lid.

A metal mesh is mounted at the other end. The diameter of the holes is selected experimentally, depending on what kind of “torch” is required to be obtained. The material is also “stainless steel”, a thickness of 2 mm is sufficient.

On the side, not far from the “plugged” end, a pipe is “welded” through which a mixture of gas and air will be supplied. In turn, another small-diameter pipe is welded to it, through which gas is supplied (air is supplied through the main one). It comes from the compressor, to which the supply (main) pipeline is connected.

How to properly adjust the operation of the burner is a separate big topic that we will discuss later.

Closed

It differs primarily in the type of traction. It is carried out forcefully, using a fan. By the way, this option, according to experts, is preferable, as it provides better ventilation of the room.

The furnace body (in the shape of a cube) is made of refractory bricks (the so-called “fireclay” brick is used, which can withstand high thermal influences).

The dimensions of the forge for domestic use are small - a side of 0.8 - 1 m is enough. A metal “lid” is installed on top, which is often called an umbrella. Recommended sheet thickness is 4 mm.

A necessary condition for high-quality operation of the forge is complete tightness of the internal volume.

What is necessary to maintain the combustion process? Firstly, gas. Therefore, there must be a hole in the side wall to insert the burner. Secondly, it is necessary to install a smoke removal system. The minimum dimensions of the channel are 30 x 30 cm. It should be taken into account that its height is from 4.5 m, no less.

In order to be able to load parts into the forge for heating, it is necessary to provide a door. Therefore, you will need to leave a “window” in the wall into which to install a metal frame.

Useful tips

If you make a cutout in the back wall of the forge, ventilation will improve significantly. In addition, it will be possible to heat up longer parts.
For ease of working with the forge, it is advisable to install it on a metal stand (table). The height is chosen arbitrarily.
If you have to work with parts of different sizes, then it is advisable to make 2 - 3 forges of different dimensions. They are installed next to each other, and the supply of air and gas can be carried out using flexible hoses. This will allow them to quickly switch from one burner to another.
It is also necessary to provide for the installation of shut-off valves on each “main”. It is better to use regular valves rather than ball valves, as they provide smoother adjustment.

Burner design

A standard homemade burner functions this way. Gas is supplied under pressure through a special hose from the cylinder. Most often, propane is used as such gas. The volume of gas supplied is changed by a regulating operating valve located on the cylinder. Therefore, installation of an additional reduction gearbox is not required.

The shut-off valve is located behind the main valve and is mounted on the gas cylinder. It is used to open or close the gas supply. All other adjustments (length and intensity of the flame) of the burner itself are carried out using the so-called working tap. The gas supply hose through which gas is supplied is connected to a special nozzle. It ends with a nipple. It allows you to set the size (length) and intensity (speed) of the flame. The nipple together with the tube is placed in a special liner (metal cup). It is in it that the creation of a combustible mixture occurs, that is, the enrichment of propane with atmospheric oxygen. The created combustible mixture under pressure flows through the nozzle into the combustion area. To ensure a continuous combustion process, special holes are structurally provided in the nozzle. They perform the function of additional ventilation.

Based on this standard design, you can develop your own design. It will consist of the following elements:

housing (usually made of metal);
a reducer, which is attached to the cylinder (use a ready-made device);
nozzles (made independently);
fuel supply regulator (optional);
head (the shape is selected based on the tasks being solved).

The burner body is made in the shape of a glass. The material used is ordinary steel. This shape allows for reliable protection against possible blowing out of the working flame. A handle is attached to the body. It can be made of various materials. The most important thing is that it provides convenience when working. Previous experience shows that the most optimal length of such a handle is in the range from 70 to 80 centimeters.

Gas burner device

A wooden holder is attached to the top. A gas supply hose is placed in its body. This allows you to give the structure a certain strength. The flame length can be adjusted in two ways. Using a reducer located on the gas cylinder and a valve installed on the tube. The gas mixture is ignited using a special nozzle.

Do-it-yourself gas burner for a forge: drawings, diagrams, photos, videos - Turner

One of the necessary equipment for our workshop is a forge. If you do more than just cold forging (we wrote about it here), then you can’t do without it.

In principle, it is now possible to buy almost everything, including this product.

Types of gas burners

In order for a home-made gas burner for a forge to ensure the flawless operation of your home forge, you need to know what types of devices are used in such designs. There are only a few of them:

Reliable and very simple in design sting jet torches. In them, gas moves along the central axis, and the air flow moves tangentially to the mixer. This approach leads to significant pressure losses. In addition, the air has a greater effect on the area of metal being processed, which is why scale appears on its surface.
Injection devices. As the name suggests, they use an injector that ensures self-suction of gas. You can make such a burner with your own hands, but to use it you need to have certain skills.
Vortex devices. They are very economical, and the design of these devices minimizes pressure loss. The main disadvantage is the very complex design, which makes it impossible to make a burner with your own hands.
Combined devices that combine pin-jet and direct-flow principles of operation. Advantages: the ability to regulate the supply of a mixture of gas and air, as well as effective control of the heating temperature of the metal workpiece. Disadvantages are large dimensions, which do not allow the burner to be used for a compact forge in a home forge, as well as a complex design.

So, the simplest solution for creating a device with your own hands is a sting torch. When starting to manufacture it, remember that it should provide:

flawless operation even with increasing humidity levels in the internal cavity of the forge;
safe combustion of the gas-air mixture;
a stable flame that can evenly heat a metal workpiece;
protection against so-called kickback; it occurs when there is an unexpected change in the direction of thrust; As a result, the mixture in the forge explodes, which can cause serious injury or even death;
increased speed of the gas jet with increased width and low height.

How to make a gas burner

The body, which is made in the form of a double truncated cone. Its manufacture requires high-strength steel.
Confusion bell made of steel X18N9T, resistant to high temperatures and open flame.
Heads for supplying natural or liquefied gas, as well as air at the required pressure to the work site.
Mouths.
Regulators that allow you to adjust the amount of gas and air in the mixture.

One and a half inch pipes and heat-resistant steel sheets will help complete the main elements of the device. For this purpose, welding is used in an argon environment, but you can also use flux, which will protect the seam from exposure to oxygen and rapid corrosion.

We use ordinary high-pressure hoses as pipes for supplying gas and air. The main thing is to choose the right diameter. The connection to the body is made using metal clamps.

Read also: How to drill a hole in stainless steel

To prevent gas leakage and pressure loss, reliable sealing elements will be required. They can be made of rubber that can withstand aggressive chemical influences.

Remaking a burner from an old stove

You can make a burner for a forge from a device used in gas stoves. To do this, you just need to correctly calculate the power using the following formulas:

determine the power of the stove (W) from which the burner is removed (you can find it out from the instructions or data on the unit body);
multiply W by the fuel efficiency (0.89-0.93) to obtain the required power for the forge (W1);
find out the calorific value of gas (Q). If propane is used, it will be 3600 kJ/m3;
calculate fuel consumption: T = 3.6 × W1 / Q.

Little tricks

As a cast iron grate, you can use an ordinary old frying pan with fairly thick walls; you need to drill special holes with a diameter of about 10 mm at its bottom.

Next you need to insert it into the tuyere as tightly as possible. To supply air, without which the forge will not properly fulfill its purpose, you can use a regular fan. To do this, you can use a vacuum cleaner, and sometimes a hand-held siren.

It is important that it has a speed controller and that it is not very noisy. Otherwise, loud noise may disturb you while working.

Portable

The next design is a portable forge made from... goose horn. The design is clear from Fig. The lining is fireclay marl mixed with fireclay sand (ground fireclay bricks, commercially available). Firing the lining after drying - as work progresses.

Portable goose horn

Pressurization is not necessarily a fan from a manual siren, as in Fig. You can use any suitable one, see below, by attaching it with a metal clamp. This, by the way, will make working with long items more convenient. In this case, at the blind end of the air duct, air drainage is required, similar to that for a mobile forge, which will be discussed later.

The capabilities of a goose forge are wider than those of a 6-brick one, because The workspace is larger and open at the top. But there are also significant disadvantages:

Non-separable design: when cleaning the tuyere (see below about the stationary furnace), carbon deposits fall down and clog the perforation of the air duct, even if its holes are oriented sideways or downwards. To clean you have to break the lining.
Works only on coke or charcoal, because... There is no table with space for burning.
Expensive to operate: carbon consumption is comparable to that of coal in real furnaces.
Low operating temperature, up to 900 degrees, because A lining that is not properly fired will crack.

About cavalry and sewing machines

Cavalry bugle

Once upon a time, every cavalry squadron of all the armies of the world had on its farm a portable forge with a foot drive from a crank mechanism for forging horseshoes and horseshoe nails.

It was called cavalry, see fig. If we talk about non-volatile horns, then this is much more convenient than a fan from a siren: both hands are free.

Moreover, savvy horsemen taught horses to press the pedal with their hoofs.

Nowadays the cavalry bugle can only be seen in the Red Army Museum. But – let us also be smart – old foot-powered sewing machines are still in use and sold. And this is the same crank with a drive pulley of a suitable diameter and a strong frame for the table. Plus wheels on which you can roll the forge.

Construction of blacksmith bellows

A little about using the forge

I used it for forging and casting. It melts aluminum and other non-ferrous metals in a matter of seconds. We were able to cast some parts using foam molds in sand and clay molds. He melted aluminum cans in a special crucible. Next, the molten metal was cast into sand and plaster molds.

It is well suited for forging knives or some small metal products. We will talk about making knives from files in my next article.

One of the photos shows a heated forging, however, the color rendition is not at all the same. Due to the bright sun, it is impossible to determine the temperature of the workpiece by color. That’s why the forges used to be in twilight. Here is a video of the forge in action.

Closed forges

The designs of closed forge gas forges differ, as we have already said, primarily in the type of traction. It is carried out forcibly through an umbrella installed above the mountain using a fan. Any suitable design is used as a fan: from components of automobile “stoves” to old household vacuum cleaners. On the latter, however, you also have to install a damper to regulate the intensity of the air flow. By the way, this option, according to some experts, is preferable, as it provides better ventilation of the room.

We bring to your attention several design options for gas forges that you can build with your own hands.

Mini forge for blacksmithing at home

If you have just started mastering metal forging or are making knives, then a mini forge in your home workshop will definitely not hurt. Moreover, you can make it yourself from scrap materials.

In this case, the author uses a 5-liter beer keg as a basis. To make a homemade forge you will also need a piece of plastic sewer pipe, a piece of metal pipe, bolts and nuts and a gas burner.

The first step is to cut a hole in the bottom and top of the barrel. To do this, you can use a drill, grinder or ordinary metal scissors.

Moreover, please note that in the upper part of the beer barrel the hole should be larger in diameter than in the lower part, namely 110 mm.

Solid fuel horn

If you need to use the forge once, you can build a fireplace directly on the ground, having first dug a shallow hole, the walls of which are lined with refractory bricks. This brick is perfect for heating metal using solid fuel. An alternative material can be a thick steel plate (at least 5 mm). In such a forge you will also need to install a grate of grates (the material will be steel or cast iron). Instead of a grille, you can install a steel pipe for air supply:

The end of the pipe must be welded tightly.
In the combustion zone, use a grinder to cut slotted grooves (through them the air will disperse the heat).
Place the pipe in the center of the finished structure.

To make the forge mobile and simple, it is necessary to weld a metal frame and a steel tabletop. An interesting solution would be to use an old gas stove that has served its purpose as such a countertop. The oven in it will serve to accommodate a source of air, and the lower section is convenient for placing tools and accessories in it.

Operating principle and design specifics

A forge is necessary to carry out a number of operations to prepare metal for subsequent processing. The workpiece heated in it is given the designed shape. With its help, the now popular forged jewelry, household parts, utensils, furnishings, etc. are made.

The forge is used in all areas of heat treatment. It can be very miniature, installed literally on a table, or stationary, reminiscent of a traditional brick stove. Regardless of size, all models operate on the same principle.

Image gallery

Photo from

Equipment for a private forge

Tabletop version of a homemade blacksmith's forge

A simplified version of the forge

Factory-made forging unit

How does a blacksmith's forge work?

To prepare the metal for subsequent forging, it needs to be heated and literally “softened” under temperature conditions of up to 1100-1200ºС. The conditions are achieved thanks to specific design features that ensure the supply of fuel and oxygen to the combustion zone in the proportions required for the process.

Inside a gas or solid fuel forge, a characteristic chemical reaction occurs: the hydrocarbon is processed. Carbon, produced by the combustion of both gaseous and solid hydrocarbons, catches and appropriates oxygen from the heated metal. The result is steel without oxidizing impurities.

A blacksmith's forge built with your own hands, of course, will not allow you to forge damask blades and openwork grilles for an exquisite balustrade, but for the manufacture of simple household items and original jewelry it is quite suitable

The features of the forge allow you to partially use the reduction potential of carbon. All oxygen is not burned out of the heated workpiece. Thanks to partial reduction, the metal does not burn out completely and does not become brittle, as happens with cast iron.

To set up a miniature home forge, no special materials are needed. Almost every owner has everything necessary. Surely he has bricks and scraps of rolled metal, steel pipes, anchors, clamps

By the way, cast iron products in industry are saturated with oxygen after heat treatment in order to get rid of this disadvantage or at least minimize it.

In an industrially produced forge equipped with a control system, the air required for combustion is pumped so that it is slightly lacking. It is difficult to equip a homemade product with such a device, unless, of course, you install a ready-made gas burner with automation on it.

Regardless of the design and type of operation of the forge, the carbon released from the hydrocarbon is processed in its working area. It attracts oxides to itself, ridding the metal of them

Due to the impossibility of a controlled supply of air, or rather the oxygen contained in it, hand-made forged products are often burned out. This happens in the first stages. However, with experience comes the ability of the master to feel when to stop heating, as well as knowledge of what needs to be done to avoid complete loss of oxygen.

Device and working components

There are a great many options for making homemade models, tested by blacksmiths in practice. We will present only a small part of them. Before deciding which gas forge is best to make with your own hands, let’s look at the typical features of the device.

In technical essence, any forge is a kind of furnace with characteristic accessories: a firebox, a grate, an air chamber, called a blower in Russian heating units. Unlike a conventional stove, the air chamber is equipped with drainage to regulate the air supply and a pipe with a valve.

The grate is strengthened so that it is able to resist considerable thermomechanical effects. A regular grill made of metal rods or corner scraps will not work. You need a reinforced device. Ideally, it would be better to have a thick metal panel built into the desktop with evenly drilled holes.

In the design of a forge, each structural part performs certain functions, due to which the removal of metal from impurities and heating for forging is carried out in an optimal manner

The combination of the listed components is called a tuyere. Industrial furnaces are equipped with several of them, so that they can be changed depending on the required conditions for performing a certain operation and on the size of the workpiece being heated.

The lance is most often not installed in a closed housing, but mounted on a table. It needs to be sufficiently stable and protected from thermal effects, for which a lining is used. In a number of designs, a grate is built into the table or a metal perforated panel is installed instead.

The lining of the table for a stationary furnace, which is going to be actively used, uses refractory quartz brick. Homemade products for one-time work are lined with fireclay bricks. It’s easier to find it on sale, and the price is lower.

The combustion chamber of the forge is strengthened by lining, which is made with refractory or fireclay bricks that can resist high temperatures

For complete collection and removal of flue gases, a tent or umbrella is placed above a table with a perforated panel or above a tuyere. They are connected to a smoke channel, which is constructed according to the principle of a chimney for a gas boiler. It must work flawlessly, because... The gases released when metal is heated are extremely toxic.

In addition to the main structural components, there are also additional devices. Usually, blacksmiths place a hardening bath next to the forge so that the finished product can be immediately dipped into a cooling and hardening environment. This is the case if thermal shock hardening is required.

When setting up your own forge, you need to think not only about the manufacture of equipment for heating metal, but also about related equipment: an anvil, hardening bath, gas-air chamber, chimney and exhaust hood

Craftsmen also use a gas-air chamber on a production scale. In it, the products are dried from condensation and additives are added to the composition, which can only be added in a gaseous state. Air is dried there to obtain certain technological conditions.

To increase the area of extremely high temperature, a crucible is used - a cap that expands towards the base. It is needed mainly when working with non-ferrous and precious metals. Handicraftsmen often do not need any of the additions, except perhaps a bath, for which any metal container of sufficient volume can be adapted.

Choosing blue fuel for work

It is believed that both mainline and bottled liquefied gas are suitable for operating a forge. We will disappoint you: it is not advisable to use an unrefined natural option.

There are two good reasons for abandoning natural fuels:

From the pipe we receive blue fuel, which is a kind of mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons. Their calorific value and oxygen retention abilities vary. Therefore, it is virtually impossible to tune in to the optimal air supply.
The gas mixture for domestic use always contains, albeit insignificant, the content of impurities that affects the result. The presence of phosphorus and silicon may not be noticed, but sulfur will definitely render the result of labor efforts unusable. Only remelting can save.

In addition, household gas is odorized - giving it a characteristic odor so that a leak can be detected immediately. These substances will also negatively affect quality.

Household gas is not suitable for the operation of a forge, since it contains impurities that interfere with the processing of metals. Before supplying gaseous fuel to the combustion zone, it is necessary to clean it or use cylinders with industrial monogas

Industrial liquefied gases would be perfect: propane or butane supplied in cylinders. But only if they are monogases without any accompanying impurities at all.

If it is not possible to buy purified blue fuel, you can carry out the purification yourself. To get rid of sulfur-containing compounds, a container with naphthalene will help, through which you must pass the gas before feeding it into the burner.

By the way, if you use a factory-made burner, the process of constructing the forge will be carried out much faster. And you don’t have to worry about the result; everything will work flawlessly and safely. In addition, in the burner, air and gas can be mixed in advance in the proportions required for operation.

Custom design

Stationary models of the forge should be made taking into account the anthropometric data of the master. This is necessary to ensure maximum comfort during forging, because a red-hot piece of iron weighing several kilograms poses a serious danger to both the master and those around him. The most important thing in the process of work is to ensure maximum safety and comfort.

To correctly determine the size of the workplace, the help of a second person is necessary. So, the height is measured from the floor to the elbow of the master, whose arm is in a relaxed position and whose legs are shoulder-width apart. To the resulting figure you need to add another 5 cm, which will become the optimal height for the workplace.

The shape of the table is best square for the work of one master; for work with an assistant, you can make it rectangular. In the case of a square shape, the length of the side is determined by determining the diagonal. To do this, the assistant needs to measure the length from the master's abdomen to the end of the largest pliers in an outstretched hand. Another 10 cm is added to the resulting number and half the diagonal is obtained. Next, if you wish, you can simply multiply the result by 1.414 or determine the length of the entire diagonal and solve the equation from the school curriculum C2 = a2 + a2, where C is the resulting diagonal, and is the side of the table.

Main parts

The mechanism of operation of the forge is quite simple. The design of the forge resembles an oven with three partitions and one open side. Its main function is to maintain the highest possible temperature inside.

The design of a self-assembled forge differs little from production equipment.

The classic design should have:

fireproof table;
hearth with grate;
device camera;
umbrella;
air chamber, valve and drainage;
chimney;
hardening bath;
hole for feeding workpieces;
air duct for oxygen supply;
gas-air chamber;
the furnace is removable.

Solid fuel device for forge

The simplest model of a solid fuel device for a private forge is an outdoor open stove, which does not require the installation of a ventilation system. The construction of the structure involves pouring a reinforced concrete base; wall bricks must be laid at the base of the structure. The table is installed at a convenient height; a hole is left in one wall for the blower.

The mountain pit is laid out of fireclay bricks supported on steel corners; a cavity for the grate is left in the middle part of the structure. A chimney or probe will help ensure sufficient draft in the fireplace; the air supply system is installed at the final stage of construction work. Installing an electric fan in the chimney or installing blacksmith bellows will help increase 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 cases where thermal or shock hardening is required when working with damask steel. In the gas-air chamber the following is carried out:

drying and heating oxygen;
filtering oxygen from condensate and foreign impurities;
mixing air with additives for alloying steel.

To melt precious metals and create an alloy of non-ferrous metals, it is necessary to make a crucible from a heat-resistant material. The device, made in the form of a cap, allows you to increase the operating temperature in the furnace without the risk of overheating the workpiece and the formation of soot.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The injection burner developed by Alexander Kuznetsov is especially popular. In this video, he explains what the structure consists of and how to assemble it:

Example of an injection burner operation:

Properly designed and made with your own hands exactly according to the requirements, the injection burner will become a reliable assistant for a long time. This device will replace expensive factory-made tools. With its help, you can solve many everyday problems without resorting to the help of professionals.

Would you like to tell us about how you assembled an injection torch for blacksmithing with your own hands? Do you have useful information on the topic of the article? Please leave comments in the block form below, ask questions, post photographs.

Coal forges

Furnaces that use coal as fuel are distinguished by their simple design and practicality of use. The design of this type of device consists of the following working parts:

Roof and walls. For their construction, bricks with fire-resistant properties are used. It can be chamotte or dinas.
Nest. It is here that the workpieces are heated.
Umbrella. Consists of curtains, folding type. Its main purpose is to improve the natural traction of the workspace.
Back wall. Special holes are made in it through which the outgoing air flow is supplied.
Air valve. By using it, air is supplied to the forge socket.
Box For its implementation, heat-resistant steel is used. With its help, the inlet and socket are connected.
Tempered container. It can be made of either brick or steel. Its main purpose is to lower the temperature of workpieces after their heat treatment. Thanks to this, it is possible to eliminate the formation of thermal cracks on them.
Chimney. Fuel combustion products are removed through it.

Preparing the forge for use should be carried out in the following sequence:

clean the nest from any remaining ash and burnt coals; blow out the chimney and the channels through which air passes using compressed air. You can use a regular vacuum cleaner for this; pour some coal into the bottom of the forge nest

In this case, you should pay attention to the fact that the hole located at the bottom of the box must remain open; To facilitate the ignition process, it is recommended to place a small rag moistened with firelighting fluid on the surface of the coal. Instead of rags, you can use sawdust; when the coal burns well, you can gradually add coal in small portions; now you need to open the air supply valve and set it in the middle position; as soon as the coal begins to burn out, you can increase the intensity of the air flow; When a crust forms on the surface of the coal, you can begin to warm up the workpiece and prepare it for work.

Since the temperature under the crust is higher than on its surface, the workpiece is placed directly under the crust. If the thickness of the crust reaches more than 5-10 mm, it is recommended to destroy it. Otherwise, the level of thermal conductivity becomes lower.

In order for the workpiece to heat evenly over the entire area, it must be turned over periodically.

It is also worth paying attention to the color of the fire. It should be uniform and also have the same color