The Metal Artist Forum

I came across an article on how to construct a Side Blast Forge in the Anvils's Horn, published by the Arizona Blacksmith Association.

Appears to be an interesting approach to a forge.

Anyone know anything about this type of forge?

I also found that the Blacksmith's Journal issue 174 has instructions to build one.

Anyone have this issue? I'd appriciate a copy of the article.

Thanks.



Corrected thread title spelling/moderator ptsideshow

What are the advantages of a forge with burners on the side?

Oddist, i'm not the forge expert, but I have built three of them with three different types of burners. I have also read a lot on this topic. Based on all this, here's my humble opinion: People tend to overthink these things big time. Ask yourself one question: Do you want to forge weld with it? If so, I'd use coal/coke. If not, almost ANY design/burner combo is going to make your steel bright orange. Assuming of course you use refactory high temperature insulation.

I've read all the best ways: Swirling heat, door/no door, correct number of burners, etc etc. I'm sure some designs are better than others but geez, your just heating steel. I just think that a lot of info out there is over done.

Ask Alfredo about the "Sidewinder Forge Plans"

Ron Reils burners work very good. Keep the following things in your design and you will be happy.

1. The inside of a forge will get torn up quickly. If you use Kaowool, use must coat it with ITC-100.
2. Heck, you should ALWAYS coat the inside of your forge with ITC-100
3. Think about what you will be putting in there. There is no "one size fits all" forge. The smaller the volume the quicker and hotter it will get, but this will also limit what you can put in.
4. Burner overkill is ok. Just valve each burner to shut off the ones you don't need. Cold spots are annoying.
5. BBQ propane tanks suck. Yes they will work, but they suck. They tend to freeze up. Daisy chain a bunch together or buy a bigger tank. 100# tank is real nice.

Possible materials: Fire bricks, kiln bricks, refactory cement, kaowool in a large pipe, etc etc

Just build a sturdy design, follow these steps (and others you have read) and you'll be smashing metal in no time.

Matt,

From your response I guess this type of forge is not that common...

The Side Blast Forge of which I speak uses coal or coke and has its air supply injected from the side rather than the bottom. The air injection nozzle is also water cooled.

Sorry I don't have a picture of it but that's why I started this thread.

The thing I found interesting is that since the air is injected from the side into the coal the clinkers form below the air nozzle; unlike the common bottom air supply type of forge where the air blows up through the clinkers.

So, my search is still on for some info...

Was searching a bit and came up with this site...

http://www.beautifuliron.com/temp_images.htm

I see.....it sounded like a propane forge.

Hey Oddist,
A side blast forge is primarily used with coke, but can be used for coal too. The nice thing is that you can build a much longer firebox, which means longer heats. I would suggest that you think about what kind of work you will be using it for, then build the forge that fits that type of work. The thing about long heats is that if you are doing hand work, you can't work fast enough to use that length of heat. The long heats are great for twisting long pieces though. If you are working big stock (inch square and up) the long heats are great if you are running a power hammer. I have a coke forge with a round firepot, got it from centaur a while back, and I get plenty of heat from it, and the heats are long enough for about 99 % of what I do. The one thing I have found though, is no matter what I get, my next job is usually one that needs a different piece of equipment! Hope I didn't muddy things up too badly for you,
Mark

If you want to know about the side draft forge talk to Mark Aspry, He owns and teaches at Sierra Forge in CA and has done numerous demos and classes for us here in AZ. Mark will be doing some classes again in the fall in Phx and Tucson if any one is interested. He swears by this and after watching his demos he is correct. It is the way to go. Also welding with coal is easier but it is not uncommon to forge weld with propane. At the AABA demo in Feb which I was not able to attend they had a number of demonstrators doing it with diffeent propane forges. I'm so upset I wasn't able to make that hammer-in.

[quote=Innovational Iron]
Ask Alfredo about the "Sidewinder Forge Plans"

Thanks all...

What I'm trying to do right now is evaluate all the options out there so I don't make any stupid mistakes and put together equipment I don't need.

My son picked up the coal I ordered yesterday and we will probably put together a simple "brake-drum" forge to start with.

As we figure out what each of us wants to do our tools will probably grow. I know one of the first things I want is a treadle hammer.

I joined ABANA the other day and will probably join the New England Blacksmith group.

And Mark...you're somewhere North of NY city...what are the chances of me coming down from NH and visiting with you sometime? After all, it was you that brought up the subject of an East Coast metal mash.

Hey there,
Sounds good to me! I've been meaning to see if anyone wants to get together at my shop. Its' small and cramped-but I've got a bunch of nice tools. I am about 1 hour south of Albany NY-2 hours north of NYC. I've got a 110 big blue hammer, fly press, plasma cutter,tig,mig, bandsaw,lathe, and the newest toy-I mean tool- a milling machine, and a 4x8 layout table. Mark

here is alittle talk of forges....and of side blown forges....check the links and the posted pics...lots of info
http://www.shopfloortalk.com/forums/show...php?t=7575