forced air propane forge

J

Jeff Faria

Joined
Jan 21, 2012
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22
im just starting to build my first propane forge but not sure what type of regulater to get using the plans from indian george web site i live in ontario canada if any fellow canadians know of where to purchase regulater gas lines and gauge
 
Do you have a industrial zone nearby? There is bound to be a propane dealer there who can sell you or tell you where to get one. Might be cheaper than buying one mail order, it will save having to pay shipping and customs anyway.
 
I was showing the type and accessories that will be needed, as well as where one could be procured. The photo shows how it all goes together.

You can go to most welding shops and get the regulator and the necessary fittings and hoses. The regulator should be rated for propane/NG and have a 30PSI max. You want a 30 PSI gauge, and a needle valve at the end of the hose where it attaches to the forge burner ( to adjust the burner). Be sure to get the right fittings to fit your propane tank.

Welding gas gauges will work for the regulator, too. They can often be found in flea markets or pawn shops for a few bucks. It is fine to use an acetylene gauge for this purpose.
I have found very expensive Victor fuel gas regulators with broken gauges for $5 or less. I just put on a new gauge for about $5 and have a $100-200 regulator for $10 ( BTW, you don't need the inlet/tank pressure gauge for propane, only the outlet/hose pressure gauge).


Sometimes, getting the whole supply list for your project shipped in a box is a far cheaper solution. Places like HighTempTools can ship all the things you need for a forge build in one or two boxes, and you don't have to drive all over Ontario trying to find them ( and still end up ordering some things). Their shipping has always been very reasonable. If you live close enough to the border, you might have it delivered to a US friend's house and just drive over and pick it up.

If ordering from HTT, or if your local welding shop has them, get a Quick Disconnect Fitting for the hose end and forge. That way, you can just un-couple the tank at the end of a forging session and put it outside, without having to get a wrench and unscrew the fittings.

Canada is a big place, filling out your profile will tell us, and maybe a Canuck knifemaker, where you are exactly.
 
Check with local bylaws. My welding supply store told me the acetylene gauges were not approved for LP and would leak over time.
 
Take the info Stacy gave you, you can buy those red regulators, gauges, fittings and hoses locally.

Propane gas dealers, welding supply dealers and others have them.

Shipping and duty can easily run half of the cost of that setup so there's nothing wrong with finding that locally.
 
Willie71 said:
Check with local bylaws. My welding supply store told me the acetylene gauges were not approved for LP and would leak over time.
Click to expand...

If you check welding forums, you will see this question all the time. The answer is always - Don't worry about it.

The issue is over what type of rubber is in the diaphragm. Neoprene is used for propane/NG. At the pressures we use propane, and considering how we use it, acetylene regulators are fine for propane.
I bet few know that all regulators are technically supposed to be re-built and have the diaphragm replaced every so many years. I asked my welding shop about this, and they said they never knew anyone who had one done unless it was damaged. BTW, they say don't worry about the propane use of acetylene regulators.

What makes a lot of folks say that acetylene regulators can't be used is that printed on the dial of acetylene gauges is often something like "Do not use above 15PSI". That is because acetylene is unstable at higher pressures. Propane is much more stable. The point is moot, because we use propane at lower pressure anyway.

The only actual real issue is with hoses. NG and propane should be run through type T hose ( reinforced with neoprene lining), and acetylene should be in type R. Again, at our pressures and amount of use, the point is moot. Not that many years ago, no one ever heard of a type T hose, anyway.

The propane/acetylene rules are mainly for commercial shops, factories, and shipyards running torches all day long. These places also have all sorts of inspectors roaming about looking for issues. When running a home forge at 1-15PSI for a few hours a day or less, it will not matter. If you are a commercial knife shop that gets OSHA and other close inspection, you will probably already be using the right regulators, hoses, and gauges.

I would say the biggest worry in a forge is old and degraded hoses - propane or not. Check your hoses by bending them in half with your hands. If it has cracks, cut it up and replace it. If the hose is OK, check the ends at the fittings for cracks and wear by bending a bit. If cracking there, cut down 12" and replace the fitting, or replace the whole hose.

If you want it according to some welding book standards, get a propane regulator. If you are trying to save a few bucks on your home setup, and have an old acetylene regulator around, use it and spend the money on a new hose.
You guys know me, I am way overcautious when safety is concerned, this is really not an issue.
 
While it may not be a real issue, if you have a fire in your garage, this could void your insurance. I don't doubt the regulators are really fine.
 
I understand what you are saying.

As to worrying about your insurance or other violations:
A forge operated in a garage will almost surely void your insurance, and is a code violation in most places.
In many cities, a 20# propane tank inside any building, even an open garage, is a code violation.
Just making knives at home and selling them may void your insurance.
Making knives at home and selling them without business license and fire inspection is a code violation in many cities.

Most of us are hobby guys, and don't really worry about such things, but these things exist, and should be considered if one has concerns about strict enforcement.

Back to the regulator and hoses, if you are forging in a garage, the likelihood of the fire coming from a hose or regulator is almost zero compared to the likelihood of 2000F metal , sparks, and a huge flame causing it.
 
bladsmth said:
I understand what you are saying.

As to worrying about your insurance or other violations:
A forge operated in a garage will almost surely void your insurance, and is a code violation in most places.
In many cities, a 20# propane tank inside any building, even an open garage, is a code violation.
Just making knives at home and selling them may void your insurance.
Making knives at home and selling them without business license and fire inspection is a code violation in many cities.

Most of us are hobby guys, and don't really worry about such things, but these things exist, and should be considered if one has concerns about strict enforcement.

Back to the regulator and hoses, if you are forging in a garage, the likelihood of the fire coming from a hose or regulator is almost zero compared to the likelihood of 2000F metal , sparks, and a huge flame causing it.
Click to expand...

This is my point.

Stacy, I agree with what you are saying. I live in a rural area, and most of us have shops of some sort on our properties. Automotive, welding, fabrication, and woodworking equipment is all covered by bylaws. Farmers NEED this equipment to function. For me, the $20.00 more the propane regulator was a no brainer, and our cottage industry laws here cover hobby businesses. To be clear, I am not disagreeing with you, but looking at a different aspect of it. I really doubt the regulator or hose would cause a fire, but insurance can be quick to blame it, or cite it as a violation of your insurance (even if the fire was caused by something else.)
 
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