How to Make a Simple Propane Forge for Blacksmithing | I Like To Make Stuff
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ก.ย. 2019
- I've been interested in blacksmithing for a while. Before I start hitting any metal, I decided to build a simple forge from some fire bricks and some plumbing fittings. Come see how you can make one too. I know I don't have the right tools for blacksmithing, but this is my first step.
VIDEOS I WATCHED FOR INSPIRATION
Essential Craftsman: • Forge Build: No Weldin...
Alec Steele: • BUILDING AN EPIC BEGIN...
Make Stuff Nation: • How to make an Improve...
Make Stuff Nation: • How to Build a Forge: ...
ElementalMaker: • SUPER SIMPLE PROPANE F...
TOOLS & SUPPLIES (affiliate links):
Fire Bricks: amzn.to/2O6YBIP
Reducer Coupling: amzn.to/2O8xyN8
Brass Square Head Plug: amzn.to/32NRPM8
Galvanized Coupling: amzn.to/2M1avBn
Bell Reducer: amzn.to/2M2b5hY
Brass Flare Union: amzn.to/2LWiD66
Steel Pipe: amzn.to/2Qbjy7U
Ball Valve: amzn.to/2LBbYiP
30 psi Propane Tank Regulator: amzn.to/34OExAM
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MUSIC: share.epidemicsound.com/iltms
I love watching blacksmiths work, and to begin a journey down the blacksmithing rabbit hole, I am building a simple propane forge. I'll show you how to make one for yourself, but be advised, use caution around gas or fire.
To prevent the fiery flame from burning everything down, it needs to be enclosed in a forge. The forge is simply a super-hot oven. There are a few options for the forge's structure and insulation materials. For our forge, I am using fire bricks that are 1.25" thick. I arranged the tiles into a rectangular box with an opening at the front. To cut one of the bricks to fit into the rear box space, I used a masonry cutting disc on my angle grinder. I also cut some of the brick in half to create smaller, moveable doors for the front opening.
To give strength to the loosely stacked bricks, I decided to weld together a border of 90-degree angle iron around the brick structure. I wanted to make sure that the welded frame didn't prevent me from being able to change out the fire bricks in the future if they begin to breakdown. The frame really helped solidify the forge and it gave some rigidity to the "front porch" area that is meant to hold the longer pieces of metal not being heated.
The burner is the real heart and soul for this project; the oven would just be a box with the heat source. There are a lot of videos on TH-cam showing how to make forge burners, and I watched most of them. I made this burner in the style of all of those using readily-available plumbing components. The burner assembly is made of a high pressure regulator similar to the one you'd use on a grill, a steel pipe and a custom nozzle that blows the propane into the pipe while mixing with air.
I made the custom nozzle by drilling a tiny hole into a brass square plug fitting. I knew at the time that the hole may have been too big, 1/16" bit was the smallest one that I had. When lit, the fire burned blue with some residual orange flames. Apparently, this indicates that there is an inefficient fuel burn. I replaced the nozzle with a MIG welder tip and adjusted the placement inside the pipe and the fire was much more consistent and the metal inside the forge got much hotter.
It was so satisfying that I had a box of super hot fire that can heat up metal! I was super impressed with the fire bricks and their ability to retain the heat inside the forge. I was told by my good friend Alec Steele that the piece of metal was ready to be worked with a hammer once it turned a bright yellow color. It took my forge a little while before the metal got to the correct temperature, so I'm sure there is more dialing in to be done.
Obviously, I'm no expert metalworker. I am super excited about learning how to blacksmith and learning what tools and equipment that I need to be successful. I love learning new skills and increasing my ability to make different kind of things. If you are interested in blacksmithing, check out the wealth of knowledge online.
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About I Like To Make Stuff:
We have lots of projects including woodworking, metalworking, electronics, 3D printing, prop making and more!
These videos are our attempt inspire and empower others to make the stuff that they want to have. Hopefully you'll see something here that will inspire you to make something that you're passionate about!
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/ iliketomakestuff - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Can't wait to get you up to Montana and make something together! Loved seeing you jump right in!!!
This is the crossover I’ve been looking forward to for years!!!!
Can also teach him how to sew!
The real reason you got a new workshop was for Bob
This needs to happen.
Where in Montana are you ?
Forgot another point... The Teflon tape... You used regular plumbing tape. They make a special one that is yellow that is specifically made for gas.
Another great point. Thank you for your constructive help.
Shouldn't be using teflon tape with flare fittings at all...
@@TylerHicksWright but only on the flare fittings. The standard pipe connections should still use the Teflon tape.
@@TylerHicksWright Came here to say exactly this ^^^.
Flair fittings seal by using the flair mating surfaces not from the threads. Flared fittings don't use tapered pipe threads. Tapered pipe threads require tape or pipe dope as the mating surface isn't 100% sealed without it. Teflon tape also assists in providing lubercation so the threads can mate as tightly as possible and the tape can seal any interface differences.
Flared fittings, (that are not damaged, of course) have a precise angle on the mating surface that DOES create a 100% seal but ONLY if the male and female mating surfaces are pulled together fully. Pipe tape inhibits the threads from pulling tight and compressing the internal mating surfaces in addition, a fringe piece of tape can get between the mating interface resulting in an incomplete seal.
Was thinking the same
Do not use Teflon tape on the flare fitting. That fitting does not seal by the threads, it seals by the flare fitting firmly in its seat.
The reason you had a leak, is from your Teflon taping interfering with this fit. This is a huge mistake lots of people make with these fittings, and it can cause large leaks.
Correct! I have worked on several shipyard in SE Asia, and the plummers there loves to put teflon on every type of connection there is, with leaking systems everywhere as result.
Yep thats what I was thinking when I seen this.
Wrapping the tape backwards probably didn't help much either.
Lol! I was geting ready to say the same thing!
teflon tape is intended to be a lubricant more than a seal....the tapered threads are what seals the joint..in theory..
The best part is how you show getting over the “fear” of trying something new, just jumping in and making changes when needed.
I like the fact that you critique your own work as you go along, giving us the benefit of making the correction in instances when you would have done things differently but too far along in your project to change. 👍
Don't Teflon tape threads of a flare fitting. That's not where it seals. Its a face seal.
I actually came looking for this comment, ;-)
True ... lapping would be more effective ... if only there was a tool ...eh !?
@@Fr3dd1321764 Me too. C'mon son... Classic mistake
Blacksmithing is so much fun! Thank you for including all the details with the nozzle assembly. I'm in the middle of making my own gas forge and I will definitely be referencing this. And you have to love the satisfying "THOOT" sound as the gas gets ignited!
Amazing idea and forge design, but the true star of this video is the Tron shirt. Truly an underrated classic.
Just finished forging and wanted to chill on youtube :D I really appreciate that you show everything that you make with some many details. I dont know a lot about even simple things to do in home like changing something in bathroom or laying floor and I am really glad that you are here to teach us. Love your videos :)
Great video. Just one idea. Remove the strap on the back so you can remove that brick to fit longer pieces through. So you can heat the middle part of a bar.
Oooh, Good idea.
I wonder if making a hinged strap would work? That way you have the stability but option to remove the bricks on the back.
I remember when as a little boy seeing blacksmiths working and it always fasinated me but never pursued. Thats been 60 years , or more, and watching on utube makes me want to try now
I have been watching your videos for more than a year and I have been waiting for your work day after day. What I like about your personality is that you love people and you love your family and children in particular ، This is what makes you a very special person and this is what we miss in the world of TH-cam and I wish you success in your work and in your life
Huge props to you for giving credit to people who have taught you to make the forge. Really shows what kind of person you are. Great work, keep it up.
You know you’re a maker when nuts and bolts are more complicated than welding!! 😂👍🏻
Same exact thought!
I'm just too lazy to drill holes in things.
Bob and Alec steel collaboration mabye? Hope so would be awesome
Alec is litterally right under your comment and he seems, lets say, mildly interested ;)
Great job trying something new. One of the big things keeping me from moving forward with a home forge was the burner. Thanks for showing how simple it is
dude, same! i love the essential craftsman. such a great chanel.
Also your burner end shouldnt protrude into the forge... It should be level with or inset slightly into the brick face
This needs to be higher up, having it that far in can cause issues with the gas igniting to early when the pipe heats up.
this and he need his gas tip way further out of his burner flame is too rich not going to get the temps as easy that way
Great video! This is a project we've talked about doing so super happy to see your take on it. Nice job all!
Whoa! It's a honor to be linked by such an awesome YT Channel! Thanks and great build!
Thanks for the video and information!! It was super helpful!
Been looking forward to this since you mentioned it on the podcast. This fall this is my project and I’m super excited!!
Dude! Great video! Love the humbleness of your adventure into an unknown territory for you.
I got started watching Alec Steele when, after watching your wooden Katana video, was recommended his forging a meteorite video. Been watching both ever since
Thank you for mentioning the Heat+Galvanized thing... so many people miss that.
Those bricks look like MDF , I saw the thumbnail and was like, " what the heck? "
What if it is MDF in disguise?
medium density forge? :P
There IFB, but yeah they look like MDF.. lol
I've made similar forge few years ago, I still have some videos on my channel. I used my for quite a long time and have some observations. First the hole for the burner could be made with the same disc for angle grinder if You plan out the hole to be in between the bricks. Second the burner nozzle should be flush with the firebrick - it tends to corrode overtime due to heat so it would slow down the process. For the forge to heat quicker You can lay it out with a layer of ceramic wool. Also if You decide to mount the burner from the top remember the heat rise so it's best to remove the burner after work so the valve and hose won't melt from residual heat - or skip the valve and add some metal fittings to attach the gas line in more heat proof manner. Last thing, I don't know if You can buy those in US but here in europe I was able to purchase a flame arrestor to mount just after regulator so in case of failure and flame going up the hose it would stop before the gas tank - explosions are rare and allmost impossible but it's better to safe than be sorry :) Good luck with blacksmithing! I used mine mainly for heat treating knives but it's good thing to have around if You work with steel.
Great info, thanks!!
Okay, so I didn't want to spend all night reading through 538 comments to see if anybody else mentioned it already... so here it goes.
I noticed a few things that will be of great value to you.
1) The fire bricks you are using are called hard fire brick and do not insulate. You will have a hard time getting your forge hot enough or running efficiently. They make a soft insulating fire brick and you could cut the stuff with a butter knife or hacksaw.
2) Your burner nozzle should be inset about a half inch to an inch inside the opening you cut for it.
3) The ball valve on your burner appears to be the type made for water. It is not made for gas and is probably not safe to use for gas. Usually, the gas ball valves will have a red or yellow handle and sometimes will have reverse threads.
Anyway, very cool build. Stay safe as I would like to see you do some more forging videos.
Here is a link to the site I got my forge plans from (free and Mr. Zoeller has other types on his website as well).
zoellerforge.com/simplegasforge.html
Again, it's the experimentation and willingness show iteration that makes your videos so enjoyable.
Thanks so much!
Essential Craftsman is GOAT
He's awesome!
@@Iliketomakestuff I am thoroughly enjoying his spec hous build right now.
Just a friendly FYI. Flare fittings seal on the 2 tapered edges pressed together not at the threads. The tape you used likely prevented you from getting the 2 peices to come together.
Love the video, thanks for sharing
I have watched a lot of videos on this stuff and yours is by far THE BEST. Showing off the safety aspects is what other channels lack. Also, the equipment you have looks awesome to have and spendy. Thank you for this video :)
Yeah agree, i like what a great resource Essential Craftsman is and his super simple design of using angles to hold the brick together. Great project Bob and great idea of using multiple designs to fit your ideal forge!
"I think nuts and bolts are overkill, so i'll just weld it."
I’m excited to see what you do with it!
Me too!
Fantastic work, Bob! 😃
The best part is that you made it in a really simple way. So, if you ever want to change it, it's going to be pretty simple. 😊
Overall, great video! THANK YOU for calling attention to the toxic fumes created when heating galvanized parts! I've seen multiple other videos where galvanized pipe fittings were used throughout, and would not want to be anywhere near those things the first few times they're fired up. One other tip, I saw multiple people leave comments about using Teflon tape and the direction it's wrapped. TFE paste is rated for propane (and a lot of other things), and I've had better luck with it than Teflon tape. Kudos also for leak testing the burner.
I’ve got an old gas forge that needs new bricks. This answered a bunch of questions for me!!!
Awesome!
white soft bricks are better insulators... i got mine at a pottery supply store, and alot easier to cut through
I love the out-takes at the end. You kinda remind me of the Swedish Chef. 👨🏼🍳
Been wanting a forge for several years. I really like this. I may have to have a go!
One of the best features of this channel is admitting you may have done something wrong but see it as a lesson rather than a failure. I’m not in the field of “making stuff” but it’s still inspiring.
Hi Bob, also another good tip about sealing NPT threads in really hot environments. If you use Teflon tape to seal, Teflon will offgas nasty gases at high temperatures, so I might suggest graphite sealant! It's used in high temperature applications often.
Love your videos! I've learned quite a bit watching you.
Thank you! Glad to hear it!
I'm a small time blacksmith and this video was very informative and fun to watch. Good job bob
Makes me want to go to my grandpa's place. He had a full set of blacksmith tools except the forge. His dad and/or grandpa were blacksmiths. Horseshoes, wagon rings etc. Thanks for a great video
drop them galvanized parts in white vinegar for a day strips it right off
interesting! Thanks for the tip!
@@Iliketomakestuff I was actually coming to the comments to say exactly this. I've used it to strip the zinc off of electric fence wire for chainmaille rings. The white vinegar works like a charm.
It's good to hit them with WD40 afterwards so they won't immidiately rust :)
@@PiranOfficial or a smear of oil
not strong enough need muriatic acid
Visions of crazy old man clagget when I saw him light that forge. Oh boooy
I appreciate you emphasis on safety in this very educational video
Someday I want a shop like Bob. Right now I'm 15 and 364/365 (16 tomorrow lol) I have a drill press and some hand tools I love making things thanks for the tutorials Bob!
What a coincidence I was thinking of making a forge myself and then you uploaded this!
same here
I wouldn't start with a gas forge, I would start with a charcoal one, it's easier to make, and it gets you the feel within 2 or 3 bags
Mine Chaser a gas forge isn’t horrible to start with just not this one. There are far better gas forges to choose from. Like the soft fire brick one essential craftsman made
Wonder if you could revisit this forge. Do you actually use it as I've not seen it used more than once.
Just in case you want to watch for fun but still learn about smithing, forged in fire is an amazing series on the history channel
PS I like that Tron shirt
FORGED IN FIRE IS A JOKE
Great video Bob! Thanks for sharing your experience
I use a small charcoal grill mounted on a stack of bricks in a V-shape and a fan to drive air up through the bottom vent to get more heat. I replaced the gas tank on my Honda Shadow VLX 600 with a tank from a Honda 750 Aero. I had to make my own mounts for the new tank. First, I heated the parts with a propane torch to weaken the metal. Drilled the holes so I could mount the tank and a solo seat. Before I could mount the tank and seat, I heated the parts red hot in the charcoal grill, and quenched them in used motor oil. Not only did they turn black, they were rust proof. Then put them in the oven at 200 degrees for 30 minutes, that made them less brittle.
Yeeeeees, blacksmithing! Can't wait to get home and watch the video!
Hi I'm Eric and I like to watch people make stuff! Kidding, I like your wood working stuff. Keep it up.
Hi I'm MaskedRedstonerProZ and I like to read awesome comments like yours
You god damn right Masked RedStoner!
Awesome stuff Bob, looking forward to seeing what you do with it! 😃👍🏻🔥🔨👊🏻
With my last name being Smith I've always found the idea of becoming a blacksmith amusing, I've since built a foundry for metal melting and have recently built a gas forge for forging, my next step is going to be a charcoal forge so I can impregnate iron with carbon to make steel. Great work I love to see people keeping some of the older skills alive.
Forgot to mention, there is a whole process of tuning your anvil for the best effect. You probably want to see if you can get a large block of hard wood to support it, and possibly wrap it with chains. I forget the entire process, I was only interested in blacksmithing to make the tools for my foundry, so when I decided to go a different route for the tools, I stopped being interested in blacksmithing as a thing I wanted to do, even though it's still an awesome thing to watch.
For the leak testing you could have added soap them lit the bubbles. Nice build though
I used to be a mechanic and this is how we used to check for leaks in a tire/rim. Soapy water and watch for bubbles. Or dunk it in a trough full of water.
Hey Bob, glad to see you finally picked up a hammer! One note I would make is that, like you said, you used hard fire bricks designed for a fireplace. This type of brick insulates by absorbing the heat and dispersing it. Instead, your burner would get the chamber of your forge up to temperature if you used soft ceramic bricks made for pottery kilns instead. They are more expensive but can be cut with woodworking tools and instead of absorbing the heat, they reflect it which means the energy being put in the forge by the burner stays there. (P.S. build my forge using the exact same burner design)
Great video Bob. Congrats on making a good start to your forge. I think that time is the key to successful forgeing along with practice,practice,practice.
Keep the great videos coming.
Thanks for sharing and God bless
really informative. One thing I would Highly recommend you do before anything bad happens is placing a backfire stopper (I do not know its english name) basically it is a checkvalve that stops fire going back to the tank... It is always used on oxy aseteline but adding one here would be an extra safety...
This comment along is worthy of updating this video. Great catch and I’m glad I read this before proceeding with the project. I’d also recommend that people take a simple introductory blacksmith class. I didn’t think I would need one but I found a three hour class which was worth it alone for the safety tips that I’m sure one day will save my tips!
I am seeing in the near future hopefully you will go to Alec Steele shop that would be awesome collab
Great video! I’ve been wanting to build a forge and glad to hear what worked and what didn’t in your easy video format!
Great work and it's really enjoyable to see someone just go at it just like it's meant to be and of course safety which you are really focused on,over all great job
Check out Torbjörn Åhman, truly a craftsman if there ever was one.
hey really cool project i build a propane forge recently my self but i think that burner tip or cup or how you call it should be behind those bricks so it doesnt heat up great work tho
Just getting into blacksmithing and have been looking at different ways I can put together a forge at home. Very helpful thanks
Good build, easy to follow. This will be very useful for making custom tools.
you should never have to use Teflon tape on a flared fitting. The flare should be your seal.
I would recommend the show "Forged in Fire" on history channel. You'd probably like it Bob.
That's a meme show lmao
I am the regional technical trainer for the oldest Propane propane company in the US. I have been in the energy trades since 1980. You did a very nice job on the gas parts. Putting Teflon on a flair fitting was a bit of a rooky move but, worse things have been done. Over all a very nice job. I have the #1 video on converting a range from Natural gas to propane. I hope to see more of your stuff.
Love all your videos this has to be one of my favourites.
Didn't you cut the inlet hole into a full size brick? So just pull them out and exchange it with one of the full size bricks from the "roof"..
That's what i was thinking. Just move the bricks around.
Came to comment the same thing. Swap the hole brick with a top brick!
...or just use a bit of brick to make a plug, 'cause you never know when a side port can come in handy... second burner, view port, thermocouple port.....
Really enjoyed the video. Glad to see blacksmithing gaining more recognition. Have you watched Torbjorn Ahman's TH-cam videos? Thanks for this video
Love the outtakes, makes it more relatable :D
Love the video! - thanks for the great content and quality! You are definitely and inspiration for many of us to get out and make something!
Can you please make a small series of you learning how to blacksmith
Though I love Bob and his teams' work, check out Alec Steele's channel. He's been smithing since he was 12, and he's got incredible onscreen personality. And that's despite being a self described introvert on Bob's resurrected "Brainpick" podcast
Whey I am early, hey you're the best and I really understand your concepts, especially on TH-cam.
Best forge build video I've seen. Thanks. Very well explained.
I watch aleck steel all the time. Hes pretty good and I like that he shows everything even the messups
I've found that the wrong tools are always the right tools when they are the only tools you have.
“Today we’re going to make **casually sets on fire** a forge.
I like these kind of videos where you learn along the way. Opposed to the videos where you’re building a shelf or something where you just cut and glue wood together and that’s it
I thoroughly enjoyed this video. I took some pictures of Bob and Jenny blacksmithing nails with Alex, Joe, and Steve at Makers Central this year, I had a feeling this video was coming.
Ok this is great but does it double as a plant pot for your backyard?
Eh, the difference between a foundry and a forge is how your using it. I've melted metal in my forge, so I guess if you wanted to
My forge is a charcoal/ coal forge I don’t have to mess with the gas
@@sjjwf6025 Which from what I understand is far more temperamental than propane, not as widely available as propane, and not as easily adjustable as propane.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with using coal, but it does have drawbacks. One of the biggest advantages of it though it's that you could literally dig a hole in your back yard and have an instant forge. Just add coal and a source of moving air.
I like charcoal more, I've got a nice design thats gonna be made in a few months. For me, it's easier to run
"I think nuts and bolts are overkill. I'm just going to weld it." This is funny on a couple of levels, but not least of which is that I remember when you were first learning how to weld. I love seeing how good you've gotten at it, and it is really starting to motivate me to actually get more into making instead of just watching people make. Thanks, Bob!
Thanks for sharing that, well done!
Next weeks' video will be Bob with no eyebrows after playing with the forge.
And over the next few months, we can watch as his hammer forearm develops more of muscle mass and definition.
Eventually Bob can become a "mushroom in an apron" per Jimmy Diresta 🤣
"This video is LIT yo!" Sorry it had to be done, the balance has been restored to the universe.
You would make a great teacher/instructor. Very easy to follow and you speak clearly. Your videos are awesome too, you know how to present instruction with the right inflection in your voice and know when to pause after something is said. Well done man, earned a subscriber
Dang it Bob! Don’t you know I’m already addicted to forged in fire and have wanted to get into this . . . Now you’ve shown us how we can do this in our current shops and now I HAVE to start!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣
"It's a tiny spoon."
*There is no spoon.*
How to make a simple forge
Get some firebricks, cool I can do that
Get some metal, cool I can do that
Now start welding...... hol up
A solid fuel (coal/charcoal) forge is much easier to build, and can be done with clay(kitty litter or dirt), sand, and a frame made from metal or wood. Or you can just dig a hole in the ground.
It's beautiful, lovely, forgeous.
Ha!
Long pants & sleeves a must!
Make sure to not do this near sawdust for obvious reasons just saying
Good point.
@@Iliketomakestuff Hey Bob I have a question unrelated to this video but if I were to try to start a small buisness where I make small wooden things or anything really, what advice would you have? I would have to use my schools shop and I would probably sell to people I know.
@@Aymanahh I would highly recommend the Made For Profit podcast. It's run by Brad Rodriguez & John Malecki, two woodworkers so they may have an insight into your query
@@Aymanahh Alternatively, David from Make Something makes wooden things for craft shows. I think I remember seeing him have a video containing some advice
@@jkxcreations1937 Thanks I'll go check them out
You should head up to Montana and get some blacksmithing tips from Alec and Will!
Would be a fun colab to watch
I agree you should visit Alec and Will and get a black smithing leason. He could help you make a couple of the tools you need!
Alec Steele collaboration?! Yes please!!