MEMBER ITEMS FOR SALE
Custom Knives | Other Knives | General Items
-------------------------------------------
New Posts | New PhotosAll Photos



Go Back   The Knife Network Forums : Knife Making Discussions > Custom Knife Discussion Boards > Ed Caffrey's Workshop

Ed Caffrey's Workshop Talk to Ed Caffrey ... The Montana Bladesmith! Tips, tricks and more from an ABS Mastersmith.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 04-26-2001, 01:26 PM
BCB27
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Vertical Forge


I have a question about something I saw in this month's issue of Blade Magazine. Instead of the usual horizontal position, a forge was set up vertically. A comment was made about the forge likely being more fuel efficient in this configuration, and it makes sense to me. The part that concerns me is the vortex effect. In a cylindrical forge configuration, wouldn't the center be 'colder', with it getting 'hotter' (into the main of the swirling gases) the farther from center you go? If I am correct, I would expect the using a vertical forge would create hot spots on the billet ends. Anyone have any experience in this area? Thanks.

Brett

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-26-2001, 10:44 PM
Ed Caffrey
Guest
 
Posts: n/a

I have a forge that is vertical in design, and it works very well. I set this one up in a vertical manner specifically for welding. The design allows the billet to stay off the floor of the forge, and also gives the flux a place to go instead of the billet laying in a puddle of it.
I have noticed that is does take a bit longer for this design to reach welding temp, but once there it holds the temp very well, and very evenly. I have had no hot or cold spots in this forge.
The best part about it, is that the inside diameter of mine is 10", therefore I can weld up to 10" at a time under the press. Fuel consumption is about the same as my horizontal forge.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-27-2001, 09:52 AM
J Loose
Guest
 
Posts: n/a

I have a vetical forge as well- I use it for welding, forging and heat-treating. I have a thermocouple I can drop in and measure the temp quite accurately- there is almost no variation in temp except when you put a large, flat piece of steel in there and disrupt the flow... (which is what happens when you put a big knife in there...) That difference was only a few degrees. Enough to cause a slight warp in a blade on the quench, but simply rotating the blade every few seconds has eliminated that problem.

I agree that it is nice for welding- you can put crumbled refractory or kitty litter in the bottom and replace it when it gets too full of borax. Also have heard the theory that with the combustion taking place in the bottom of the chamber you are getting a more reducing atomosphere. It makes sense to me but I have no evidence save that I can run this forge very reducing.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-27-2001, 02:19 PM
BCB27
Guest
 
Posts: n/a

Ed and Jonathan,

Thanks for the information.

Brett
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 04-27-2001, 08:47 PM
Mike Sader
Guest
 
Posts: n/a

Jonathan, in another post earlier you said you bought your temp. readouts and parts from ww grainger, could I impose upon you for the part #'s, I'm not really electronically inclined and will prob. never figure out what parts you used I would really appreciate the info.. Thanks Mike Sader
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 04-28-2001, 06:23 PM
J Loose
Guest
 
Posts: n/a

Hey Mike,

No problem- I've been playing office all #### day so I know just where everything is... ;-)

See my forge on my web site www.jloose.com in the Studio section- it is deeper than most forges of this style. Right now you can see how the probe inserts in a small hole off to one side of the forge doors and goes in about 1 foot. The eventual plan is to put a larger hole in the top of the forge so I can drop a long blade in to heat-treat.

These are the parts- the first is the digital readout by Extech and the second is the actual probe from Fluke. Where the probe enters the forge it passes through a piece of refractory, since the handle is plastic... no meltdowns yet.

Anyway, these are from www.grainger.com

4PC60 ( $119.00 ) p. 1424 catalog no. 391 00-01 but 4PC59 would work ( $89.00 )

1T323 immersion probe p. 1427 ( $47.00 ) Doublecheck on this one when you call- I'm 95% sure it's right...

Total cost with shipping was $180.00 or something. Very useful!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 04-29-2001, 01:57 PM
Mike Sader
Guest
 
Posts: n/a

Thanks Johnathan, I really appreciate this, I have refractory in my forge and have used it to anneal some springs to use for a blade,I just figured if I had a readout & thermometer It might help in welding & treating later. Thanx again Mike
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
blade, forge, forging, knife


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

(View-All Members who have read this thread : 5
Daevos, Don Adams, Doug Adams, jdale, Naboyle
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:05 AM.




KNIFENETWORK.COM
Copyright © 2000
? CKK Industries, Inc. ? All Rights Reserved
Powered by ...

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
The Knife Network : All Rights Reserved