Hi guys, Im a new member and brand new to bladesmiothing as well. I recently acquired a like new Uncle Al's gas forge 2nd hand and have got it up and running but not real well. Ive fired it up twice now. !st time after playing with the regulator and air i got it running half decent and got a piece of steel glowing in a few minutes but the 2nd attempt the fire kept jumping to the air intake blower hole. The 1st time it did this i didnt catchg it until the black iron pipe this intake is made of started to smoke and smell. I backed the gas off and then back on and the fire stayed in the forge chamber. It did this atleast a dozen times over the next 1/2 hour. Id back gas off then back on and it was fine again. I called uncle Al's and asked theyre opinion and he said it sounds like the pipe may be blocked. I checked that and its not. Any idea what im doing wrong? Thanks in advance for any help
Hi Donald and welcome to the ABS!
My forge is a forced air also. Always turn the air on first and make sure it's blowing. I shut the air intake down almost completely closed. Then I turn the gas supply on with the regulator set to around 6 psi. While holding a propane torch in the for opening, I slowly open the needle valve on the forge till it lights. Let it warm up and then adjust the pressure and needle valve to the temp I want. I have a pid readout and thermocouple on my forge to help monitor the temps. I usually run it at about 5 psi once it's at operating temp. I built my forge, castable refractory, horizontal type. I have to really choke the air as I have a big coal forge blower from Centura Forge. I am also hooked into my 500 gallon tank so pressure is not a problem.Hope this helps!
Good Luck!
Bob
Actually, I hold the lit torch inside the forge opening. Phone keyboard, lol!
Bob
I was lighting the gas before turning on the blower. I wonder if that was the problem. Think?
Yep, more than likely. Don't stand infront but to the side when lighting it. It's going to go whoof and flash a bit as the air is blowing the gas out. I always make sure air on first and off last. Hold the torch flame in the forge before opening the needle valve. If the blower blows the torch out, choke the air supply down. If the needle valve is old you may have to open it more than just a little to get the gas flowing. You don't want to let the chamber fill with gas and then try to light it:(
Good Luck and be safe!
Bob
Thanks a lot!
You are welcome! Hope you got that forge working!
Bob
