Chile Habanero forge thoughts?

A

Adodero

Joined
Sep 17, 2020
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I'm looking at getting the two burner Chile and was curious if anyone has any thoughts or impressions on them?

I'm mainly curious what temp ranges people have been able to achieve. I'm looking to both forge and use it for HT, so I would likely get the temp probe. I found an old thread from 2011 where another user indicated the lowest he could get was ~1700f without changing the burner tips. I understand they've changed the burners since then, so I'm curious if that's different now?

I know the most common bit of advice is to build your own. I may do that at some point, but right now time is such that it's more effective for me to purchase one.

Thanks!
 
There are other folks with much more experience than I have with forges, but the Chile Habanero forge looks like an excellent blacksmith forge. Not so much for a knifemaker unless blacksmithing is the prime use. Best for knifemaking is the http://www.atlasknife.com/product/graham-forge/ which will give MUCH better control for HT'ing, and shouldn't have any problem reaching forge welding temps. The big advantage of this type forge is the flame isn't directed on the billet you're working causing hotspots. A blacksmithing type forge can be used provided you keep the billet moving to allow more even heating.
 
That's a great move with the graham forge being ready to use out of the box WITH the blower!

Dang if I had a forging area I would jump on that.
 
Wow I thought this was a necropost because I have not seen anything posted about the chilly forges in forever it seams like.
 
I have the Chile Habanero and have been extremely happy with it. I have no problem getting up to welding temperature in a very short time. It is a work horse and has taken some abuse through the years. When I was moving into my new shop, it was dropped from a pallet and I thought it was ruined. One of the burners was broken and the bottom plate was cracked but that was about all. I called Chile and they were extremely nice and sent me the replacement parts asap. Customer service means a lot to me and I can say with authority they would be hard to beat.
 
Thanks folks.

They said the backorder on them is about 12 weeks, so I threw down a deposit and will decide as we get closer if I want to go that route. I have a NC Knifemaker right now, but the design around the Chile forges and burners is appealing to me, along with the larger openings. The NC works fine, but has a few things on it that are kindof irritating that the Chile resolves.

The main thing I was trying to figure out is how difficult it is to get the temps down for HT, but I ultimately decided to suck it up and buy a Jen Ken Vertical Air Bath 16 for most of the knives I'm making. I was hesitant to do this, but discovered the house we just moved into has 240v in the garage and that sealed it for me.

I'd still love to hear feedback from anyone using one, as I'm undecided if it's worth the expense now that I am getting an oven. I have a while to figure it out and am inclined to do it, but still undecided if it's enough of an upgrade to justify the cost.
 
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