Glad I watched this before building a coffee can forge and expecting to blacksmith with it. True, I cut up all my leafspring at school with the plasma cutter into 4 inch by 1inch by 3/8th inch billets but it sounds like I wont be shaping them into anything anytime soon... maybe it's possible, like tunnelling out of shawshank WAS possible...
Built this with a couple T8000’s and clamped the whole thing together between some steel plates so it’s easy to pickup/move and the soft brick has some protection. Actually works a lot better than expected and very portable. Thinking about trying to refine the inlets/chamber with some refractory cement, and connecting both torches with a hose would be a nice safety add.
I use a large map gas torch with propane bottles. I like the green propane bottles for camp stoves. They have more pressure and last longer than blue bottles for just a little more money.
I've seen somewhere that the Venturi effect in one of these can be amplified by placing and using a hole for a second torch 2/3 in on the other side of the firebrick. You might try it. Also, take a little time to upgrade your safety and rig up your torch prop as a sled jig with plywood underneath and lumber attached to both sides of the sled. Make the plywood width slightly shorter than the propane bottle length so you can wedge it in at the angle you're using now.
I was wondering about map v propane and wether the torch itself would be a better bet. Thanks for answering that for me in this, TS burner and propane for me.
I am in the process of making a small forge, the coffee can thing. You said do not use galvanized bolt to cover the extra hole.-- I am using a galvanized nipple to insert my propane torch tip through. Is that OK? I have it lined with ceramic wool. I am only heating a quarter inch round rod w1 tool steel.. A dry run turned it red hot pretty quick. Can I bend the quarter inch rod pretty easy using pliers without pounding. I figure I can make a small jig to bend the rod around. I just need a bunch of small pieces shaped like a "U"---You Make Great Videos--Even I can understand.--Thanks
Great video. I like learning about the different forging/heat treating methods, but your instructions were a little unclear in regards to the comment section. I still can’t find it. Also, are you going to put up a video about your throwing star experience?
i love how you immediately grab the same model torch as mine and talk about how it does not put out enough BTU's for most work(I have found other uses for it)
The smaller torches do work for smaller blades. But if thats all you have make your forge smaller to contain the heat (half this size). Also make the opening just big enough for the blade your heat treating. Containing the heat is what is necessary.
The torch stays cool to the touch at all times. The in coming air for the torch cools it so it never gets hot. If you torch has the air intake holes closer to the tip of the torch than you may need a spacer.
Alex, I have a small foundry, Foundryette is the brand name, I believe it was made in the 60's. But to the point of my comment, the propane is mixed and forced into the chamber with a squirrel cage blower - but it isnt aimed in at a 90 degree angle to the chamber, it is set at more of a 45 degree angle & it Definitely creates that vortex to heat the chamber more evenly. It's a vertical appliance and probably not great for heat treating unless you devise a way to suspend your work in the chamber. However I have used this to smelt metals in the past so I'm sure it delivers enough heat with that propane oxy mix. But you're right, you need that swirl effect in the chamber to heat evenly.
I was able to find an extension hose that fits the torch I use. Now I can run my forge off of one of the larger refillable tanks that propane grills use. With a tee connection and two hoses, I can run two torches. One on each side of the forge. Double the heat!
The reason why the "yellow bottle" is hotter than the blue is because the yellow is MAP gas, which burns hotter than the blue bottle, which is propane...
Have you tried to drill a small hole lengthwise along side the burn chamber lengthwise (let's call it a torch line) for the torch, and drill in two of three connecting holes to from the burn chamber connecting the torch line. Could this even out the heat in the burn chamber? I bought some extra brick to try this out myself.
I love this little mini forge, I made one and I found the best thing to make the burn chamber is an old wood bastard File.. very fast and safe as not to crack the bricks
Wouldn't hooking up a hose & a larger 20 lbs tank be cheaper in the long run refillable. Just a thought. Have been binge watching all your videos. Great work
Hey There's a ts8000 23bux on ebay and for 30 they include 30 different tips...? Do you think different style tip would help make propane viable option for heat treating 1095? Making marking knives and carving tools for woodworking
On a differnt video i think u said the hard or heavier standard fire brick wont work. Are you just saying that for the shaping part how you made a tunnel, wouldnt they work for a box shaped forge with a torch?
If your using a small torch they won’t work. Regular fire brick don’t insulate well and a small torch doesn’t put out enough heat. If your using an actual forge burner they will work, just not as well.
would a second layer of the bricks you used on the top and sides aid in retaining heat? Maybe not on the side with the gas unless you put an extension on it.
keep in mind you only need to heat the part you are working on. I would just have a front and back and slide the blade of a sword through to the work point. Eventually you will hold the blade to work the hilt.
@@oceanbytez847 Good point. But for heat treating, you would need to heat the entire blade simultaneously, wouldn't you? So a longer forge would be required?
I had searched your name on YT in the past, and never had found your channel. I finaly saw the channel name in your instagram info. Cha Ching! New Outdoors55 SUB! Great logical info for the mini forge! Gonna go watch some of your older vids now...Gotta catch up! lol! Cheers
I used a 2 ¼ inch hole saw to cut as far as I could from both ends of the bricks and then used a drywall saw to cut out the rest in the middle. I cleaned up what I cut out of the center with a half round tile file, but any half round file would do. Probably took me 20 minutes max to complete
Hey Alex, I have the TS8000, (all Home Depot had) it’s not too much output is it for the bricks I hope? You said it just dials the intensity back a little, hopefully that’s all. I’m looking on the internet and not seeing the specs for the 8000... could just be me, wife says the milk is in the fridge but I don’t see it until she hands it to me lol
Ive been looking at a blow torch from harbor freight that looks like one of the gas burners people build for bigger forges, could that work better than two smaller ones?
I would like to use a forge like that.. to actually forge some little knifes... what do you think about it? -im begining with "blacksmithing" and i need a forge -i want it as a hobby
I have somwthing similar that i made out of a soupcan and some plaster. It works decently well and honestly its pretty fun for making little blades or small things. Ive made a few small knives, as well as various other projects and it all works fairly well. The only other thing you out to have is something like a bech vise or an old hammer head, or really any other thick peice of steel to use as an anvil. Other than that you dont really nead any special tools. Anyways, hopefuly this helps or inspires you a bit. Peace out
@@xxthewarwithinxxo4946 so... i bought an anvil, 5 kg... I'm really into it for long time... thank you for the tips. I'm gonna get started with miniatures xD. Thank you, good sir
watch out for stainless steels, also galvanized steel will mess you up, always make sure that you can work within a well ventilated area, if that is not possible, use a respirator with filters for fumes(not the painter kind)
I'm getting some serious flame coming out using a ts8000 on the lowest setting and fire bricks from ace. I'll get some sputtering then larger than expected flames. What s the difference between these and the soft fire bricks you use?
Soft fire brick insulate. Hard brick do not. Even after letting my forte run for 20 minutes I can still touch the top. Not sure what is going on with yours. Make sure that the tip isn’t inserted too far. You need at most 1/8” inserted.
@@OUTDOORS55 yeah it was in to deep. It worked alright, I think I got the knife to critical but I'll be getting the soft bricks soon. Thanks for the response and informative videos.
H Dollie H Dollie mine is. An extra inner tube really does fix the melting problem wonderfully. if you make sure to keep the burner completely outside the forge you'll have no problems
You would need a more powerful burner. Even the large torch with mapp gas won’t forge weld (I’ve tried) it just doesn’t get hot enough.And takes too long to heat up.
The title seems kinda misleading. Because your only heat treating knives. While it is possible to use this as a mini forge for forging small projects its better to make a acutal propane forge that has better tempuratures and longer operational times than you would with a propane torch
@@OUTDOORS55 Holy crap you replied!! Well thanks. I got a TON of 154 and O1 bar stock from the shop that closed down a couple weeks ago. I've been using 1095 and 1084. Gonna have to save up for the kiln.
certainly. I would do a vertical version that olds a graphite crucible and allows the flames of 2 burners vortex around in a circular motion (even heating). It would not be hard at all.
The handle doesn’t need to be hardened because it’s not the working part of the knife. It doesn’t need to hold an edge (sharpness) and doesn’t receive the abuse the blade will, it’s more structural..
![[UA] NAVI проти G2 Esports | Blast Premier Fall Final](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QWlIm4FGESQ/mqdefault.jpg)
New knife build video tomorrow. I didn’t have it finished for today 😀
OUTDOORS55 you just gave me a reason to look forward for tomorrow
OUTDOORS55 sweet new build and I'm gonna try and do it but I've got some randomness steel in the shop and I'll use it
OUTDOORS55 Hey Alex, have you ever thought of blowing air onto the second hole to boost the heat maybe
Glad I watched this before building a coffee can forge and expecting to blacksmith with it. True, I cut up all my leafspring at school with the plasma cutter into 4 inch by 1inch by 3/8th inch billets but it sounds like I wont be shaping them into anything anytime soon... maybe it's possible, like tunnelling out of shawshank WAS possible...
Built this with a couple T8000’s and clamped the whole thing together between some steel plates so it’s easy to pickup/move and the soft brick has some protection. Actually works a lot better than expected and very portable. Thinking about trying to refine the inlets/chamber with some refractory cement, and connecting both torches with a hose would be a nice safety add.
Do you think having the Xtra tips would help dial it in or stock tip is all you need....
I use a large map gas torch with propane bottles. I like the green propane bottles for camp stoves. They have more pressure and last longer than blue bottles for just a little more money.
I ordered some bricks. I'm going to try this with your new mods. Thanks.
We need you back! The community needs you...
I've seen somewhere that the Venturi effect in one of these can be amplified by placing and using a hole for a second torch 2/3 in on the other side of the firebrick. You might try it. Also, take a little time to upgrade your safety and rig up your torch prop as a sled jig with plywood underneath and lumber attached to both sides of the sled. Make the plywood width slightly shorter than the propane bottle length so you can wedge it in at the angle you're using now.
$13-$14??
In my country the yellow one with the piezo starter costs over $100
He means just the replacement tanks
Can I suggest making a dedicated holder for the propane bottle so that it can't move or slip. Since you like the mini forge so much
Blue bottle is propane, but yellow one is butane (MAP), which has much higher heating abilities. Good idea.
Great tips. Going to try making one of these soon. Thanks.
I was wondering about map v propane and wether the torch itself would be a better bet. Thanks for answering that for me in this, TS burner and propane for me.
Thanks for your very practical presentations for us (me) beginner!!! Got to build one of your forges!!!
Great video and good tips for making a mini forge. I will keep it and use it some time later.
I am in the process of making a small forge, the coffee can thing. You said do not use galvanized bolt to cover the extra hole.-- I am using a galvanized nipple to insert my propane torch tip through. Is that OK? I have it lined with ceramic wool. I am only heating a quarter inch round rod w1 tool steel.. A dry run turned it red hot pretty quick. Can I bend the quarter inch rod pretty easy using pliers without pounding. I figure I can make a small jig to bend the rod around. I just need a bunch of small pieces shaped like a "U"---You Make Great Videos--Even I can understand.--Thanks
Great video. I like learning about the different forging/heat treating methods, but your instructions were a little unclear in regards to the comment section. I still can’t find it. Also, are you going to put up a video about your throwing star experience?
i love how you immediately grab the same model torch as mine and talk about how it does not put out enough BTU's for most work(I have found other uses for it)
The smaller torches do work for smaller blades. But if thats all you have make your forge smaller to contain the heat (half this size). Also make the opening just big enough for the blade your heat treating. Containing the heat is what is necessary.
I already have a solid fuel forge, it is just a little temperamental(design flaw that I don't currently have the materials to correct)
Thanks again got great tips!
great tips man thanks
put a 30 cm pipe in between the torch and the lil forge so ur torch does not get too hot
The torch stays cool to the touch at all times. The in coming air for the torch cools it so it never gets hot. If you torch has the air intake holes closer to the tip of the torch than you may need a spacer.
You can put a piece of tubing in the forge to put your knife in when heat treating. Alec Steele did that in a video a couple weeks ago
Lol this isn't alec steel...
@@stevenehrmantraut9586 you asked for suggestions. If you don't want suggestions don't ask for them.
@@stevenehrmantraut9586 learn to read.
Very useful video thanks for the updated info
I used a hole saw make the burn chamber, drilled nice and slow.
Lots of great tips, thanks!
Alex, I have a small foundry, Foundryette is the brand name, I believe it was made in the 60's.
But to the point of my comment, the propane is mixed and forced into the chamber with a squirrel cage blower - but it isnt aimed in at a 90 degree angle to the chamber, it is set at more of a 45 degree angle & it Definitely creates that vortex to heat the chamber more evenly. It's a vertical appliance and probably not great for heat treating unless you devise a way to suspend your work in the chamber. However I have used this to smelt metals in the past so I'm sure it delivers enough heat with that propane oxy mix. But you're right, you need that swirl effect in the chamber to heat evenly.
I was able to find an extension hose that fits the torch I use. Now I can run my forge off of one of the larger refillable tanks that propane grills use. With a tee connection and two hoses, I can run two torches. One on each side of the forge. Double the heat!
I have seen those. Double the heat would be nice for actual forge work. 👍
The reason why the "yellow bottle" is hotter than the blue is because the yellow is MAP gas, which burns hotter than the blue bottle, which is propane...
He mentioned that in the video
Not to mention the cheaper torch probably can't handle mapp :/
Awesome how to Alex, thanks for sharing man. Tough luck on that broken block, thumbs up!
Thanks man👍 Yes they are definitely fragile😬
Have you tried to drill a small hole lengthwise along side the burn chamber lengthwise (let's call it a torch line) for the torch, and drill in two of three connecting holes to from the burn chamber connecting the torch line. Could this even out the heat in the burn chamber? I bought some extra brick to try this out myself.
It' adorable
I love this little mini forge, I made one and I found the best thing to make the burn chamber is an old wood bastard File.. very fast and safe as not to crack the bricks
Where do u get the bricks?
Where do you live?
@@JG10rBull Florida they didn't have at Lowe's or home depot
@@JG10rBull also he uses it just to heat treat... You cannot forge with this mini forge?
I dont live in the USA.. but I got mine from a pottery shop.. and yes you can forge, it just takes alot of MAP gas to do so
Wouldn't hooking up a hose & a larger 20 lbs tank be cheaper in the long run refillable. Just a thought. Have been binge watching all your videos. Great work
Yep it absolutely would be! At least if you hve the space. Thanks for watching my videos! I really appreciate it 👍👊
It would be better but it’s more expensive and you need a custom burner for it then. A 10 lb tank would be a good size for this forge.
Can't wait to try this with pumice bricks.
Propane and propane accessories..
Good stuff thank you✌🏻✌🏻
Hey There's a ts8000 23bux on ebay and for 30 they include 30 different tips...? Do you think different style tip would help make propane viable option for heat treating 1095? Making marking knives and carving tools for woodworking
On a differnt video i think u said the hard or heavier standard fire brick wont work. Are you just saying that for the shaping part how you made a tunnel, wouldnt they work for a box shaped forge with a torch?
If your using a small torch they won’t work. Regular fire brick don’t insulate well and a small torch doesn’t put out enough heat. If your using an actual forge burner they will work, just not as well.
Great job thanks for the info
Thanks for watching!
How long do those propane cans last?
would a second layer of the bricks you used on the top and sides aid in retaining heat? Maybe not on the side with the gas unless you put an extension on it.
Could you double up the bricks to make it twice as long and use a second torch for heat treated longer blades?
keep in mind you only need to heat the part you are working on. I would just have a front and back and slide the blade of a sword through to the work point. Eventually you will hold the blade to work the hilt.
@@oceanbytez847 Good point. But for heat treating, you would need to heat the entire blade simultaneously, wouldn't you? So a longer forge would be required?
I had searched your name on YT in the past, and never had found your channel.
I finaly saw the channel name in your instagram info. Cha Ching! New Outdoors55 SUB!
Great logical info for the mini forge! Gonna go watch some of your older vids now...Gotta catch up! lol! Cheers
Haha! Yeah I share a name with a famous movie director so my UA-cam had to be different. Thanks for the sub my friend 👍
thnks man nice video big thumbs up
Will a hole saw on a drill work or is the brick too delicate?
I used a 2 ¼ inch hole saw to cut as far as I could from both ends of the bricks and then used a drywall saw to cut out the rest in the middle. I cleaned up what I cut out of the center with a half round tile file, but any half round file would do. Probably took me 20 minutes max to complete
How long does the propane torch last before having to swap bottles?
Not sure, quite a long time.
Just the tip. ;-)
Hey Alex, I have the TS8000, (all Home Depot had) it’s not too much output is it for the bricks I hope? You said it just dials the intensity back a little, hopefully that’s all. I’m looking on the internet and not seeing the specs for the 8000... could just be me, wife says the milk is in the fridge but I don’t see it until she hands it to me lol
Approximately how long should it take to get to temp with one hole, 4000 torch and map gas?
wonder if these bricks can be drilled with a hole saw
How do you keep the button pressed on the TS4000 torch?
Ive been looking at a blow torch from harbor freight that looks like one of the gas burners people build for bigger forges, could that work better than two smaller ones?
Where can i get the soft fire bricks?
Always just the tip 😏👍
6:09 put a brick or something, or build your little holding block to hold the bottom so it doesn't slide
Do you have an opinion on the Devil Forge forges?
I would like to use a forge like that.. to actually forge some little knifes... what do you think about it? -im begining with "blacksmithing" and i need a forge -i want it as a hobby
I have somwthing similar that i made out of a soupcan and some plaster. It works decently well and honestly its pretty fun for making little blades or small things. Ive made a few small knives, as well as various other projects and it all works fairly well. The only other thing you out to have is something like a bech vise or an old hammer head, or really any other thick peice of steel to use as an anvil. Other than that you dont really nead any special tools. Anyways, hopefuly this helps or inspires you a bit. Peace out
@@xxthewarwithinxxo4946 so... i bought an anvil, 5 kg... I'm really into it for long time... thank you for the tips. I'm gonna get started with miniatures xD. Thank you, good sir
Have burners come in from top the blade will be in hottest part of the flame
I have a similar set up my propane torch keeps getting blown out
Something must be wrong with your torch. I have several and they all work fine. I’d try a different one and see if that works.
Make a Karambit Knife please!!!!
Can you double up a ts4000 with a ts7000 in order to forge
So I got a question can you take a file and make a knife from it with your method
Hi, can you use ytong bricks?
What harmful fumes do I need to worry about when heating steel and do I need a mask if so what kind?
watch out for stainless steels, also galvanized steel will mess you up, always make sure that you can work within a well ventilated area, if that is not possible, use a respirator with filters for fumes(not the painter kind)
Don't forge a galvanized bolt and you'll be fine.
How do you know when its done?
Informative video, what rating are your firebricks?
2300 he has a link in his earlier video to the site that he bought the brick from
My pumice bricks have a comparable rating. Able to handle 1200°C.
Can you use this for normalizing the steel too?
Yes
I'm getting some serious flame coming out using a ts8000 on the lowest setting and fire bricks from ace. I'll get some sputtering then larger than expected flames. What s the difference between these and the soft fire bricks you use?
Soft fire brick insulate. Hard brick do not. Even after letting my forte run for 20 minutes I can still touch the top. Not sure what is going on with yours. Make sure that the tip isn’t inserted too far. You need at most 1/8” inserted.
@@OUTDOORS55 yeah it was in to deep. It worked alright, I think I got the knife to critical but I'll be getting the soft bricks soon. Thanks for the response and informative videos.
Where can I buy such cylinders as yours?
When you have a dirty mind like me, the innuendos just roll off this video! *chuckle*
😂
...just the tip
How long will the small propane tank will last?
I’m honestly not sure. Never measured how long it will last.
Is the torch tip made of brass? My butane torch is, and I'm afraid of it melting.
Did you have to put an extra tube or something?
H Dollie H Dollie mine is.
An extra inner tube really does fix the melting problem wonderfully.
if you make sure to keep the burner completely outside the forge you'll have no problems
Dat Boiii Thanks. So it really does melt huh. Also I wonder why UA-cam doesn't have comment notifications.
What are the best steels for these forges?
You could try 4140 and 5160. I did, but in a small forge.
do you think you could get this up to forge welding temperatures?
No
Just for heat treating
@@OUTDOORS55 allright thanks
Is it possible or reach forge welding temperatures with one/two brick forges? Say if I ran mapp gas in one the size of yours, would it be doable?
You would need a more powerful burner. Even the large torch with mapp gas won’t forge weld (I’ve tried) it just doesn’t get hot enough.And takes too long to heat up.
OUTDOORS55 ah dammit, what would you recommend?
What if you used flux?
The title seems kinda misleading.
Because your only heat treating knives. While it is possible to use this as a mini forge for forging small projects its better to make a
acutal propane forge that has better tempuratures and longer operational times than you would with a propane torch
The title is not misleading. This is literally a mini forge and can be used as such, as long as its set up properly.
I know this is an older video, so the chance of you seeing this is not great, but can you treat steels like 154cm or O1?
Not with a forge. You need a temperature controlled kiln/oven for those steels.
@@OUTDOORS55 Holy crap you replied!! Well thanks. I got a TON of 154 and O1 bar stock from the shop that closed down a couple weeks ago. I've been using 1095 and 1084. Gonna have to save up for the kiln.
Now it been even longer so really doubt to will get a response but how long do the map Pro canisters last you?
do you think i could do a modified version of this to smelt silver/gold/platinum
certainly. I would do a vertical version that olds a graphite crucible and allows the flames of 2 burners vortex around in a circular motion (even heating). It would not be hard at all.
@@oceanbytez847 thanks
A rocket stove with bigger holes can do the same.
How thick of stock can you use with this?
I’ve been able to heat treat 1/4” blades. 1/4” takes a lot longer to heat though.
@@OUTDOORS55 thanks mate. I hope to make one of my own soon
this great,it cost me 20.00$ to get a knife heat treated
Where do u get the white forge brick
Do a google search for "soft insulating firebrick" You might have to search for them and the cheapest price.
Pottery stores are a good source
Is this the comment section? It says down below but there’s a few things down below. Someone help.
That’s what she said?
For the propane torch, how long does it last if u keep it on full power?
Not sure, never timed it. I lasts for quite a while if all your doing is heat treating. Propane is pretty cheap so I never really bothered to measure.
Isn't one propane and one map gas? Map gas burners hoter than propane.
A big mini forge LoL
A looong mini forge!
OUTDOORS55 well that really is a better description
I know Nothing about this stuff...why don't you heat up the "Handle" part of the knife?
The handle doesn’t need to be hardened because it’s not the working part of the knife. It doesn’t need to hold an edge (sharpness) and doesn’t receive the abuse the blade will, it’s more structural..
Sike