How hot is steel when it falls off in the forge?

okzj

okzj

Joined
Aug 16, 2008
Messages
222
However hot it is, that's how hot my new natural gas forge just got. :D

I got it all built up and dried out, then I poured the coal to her just to see how hot I could go. I was a little dissapointed because after 5-6 minutes I was at a very bright orange heat and it seemed like it stalled. I threw in a bar of O-1 and let it equalize. I tried to pull it out and I ended up leaving half of it in the forge, and another good chunk just fell off the end of the bar just as I got it out of the fire. Then I realized what had happened... the garage door was open and the lights were on. That bright orange was a bright white in a good forging light! The good news is that I don't ever have to buy sparklers again as long as I have this forge around. The bad news is that these new sparklers are pretty expensive. ;)

I'll get some pictures up as soon as I can, but have you guys ever heard of getting this hot with just residential pressure natural gas? It's blown, of course, and my 1/2" orifice size might have something to do with it.
 
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Maximum forging temperatures are 2200-2300 F ,steel melts at about 2700-2800 F. After 2300 F you get rapid oxidation of grain boundaries [burned steel ], then you start to melt grain boundaries then melt the whole thing.
 
Mete,

Thanks. I don't have a thermocouple for this one yet, so I had no direct measure of the temp. At those temps a thermocouple won't do me much good anyway. I'm thinking of doing some small buttons in the future, so this was more of a proof of concept than anything. The forge is horizontal, so I may have to redo it, but it's at least nice to know I can get in the range using the fuel I have plenty of. I expect it should get hot enough given enough time. The only problem then is the refractory. I'm using perlite and furnace cement, and it vitrifies to a nice coating. Off hand, does anyone know of a castable that will take 3000°?
 
Stacy,

Thanks. I'll do it.

Here are some pics and videos of the forge. Yes, that is galvanized flashing for the body. Yes, I know about metal fume fever. I just burned off and trimmed the parts that would get hot. The spots you see were hot spots that have been repaired. Now it's about 130-140 degrees on the surface when it's running. No need to fear galvanized...just respect it. After I'm done trimming I will shoot the whole thing with grill paint.

100_3644.jpg


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http://s263.photobucket.com/albums/ii134/taylorandwhitney/?action=view&current=100_3646.flv

http://s263.photobucket.com/albums/ii134/taylorandwhitney/?action=view&current=100_3645.flv
 
I love the fire extinguisher right handy like that. I will be getting one soon too. kellyw
 
I keep a 25# extinguisher by my shop door. I recommend one for everyone that cuts, burns, welds or makes sparks. This might be the best piece of equipment you can own. I have several small ones in the house. I keep a quality garden hose with a sprayer laid out handy also> you hear of guys burning their shops down. It can start in a instandt. Give yourself a chance. JIM
 
Is that forge lined with any refractory, or is it just a kaowool blanket as a lining?
Stacy
 
Hey Taylor, that's pretty impressive with the natural gas forge.

I have some forge shell material if you want it. I llive in Sand Springs.
shoot me an email, let's talk.
 
bladsmth said:
Is that forge lined with any refractory, or is it just a kaowool blanket as a lining?
Stacy
Click to expand...

Stacy,

There is no kaowool actually in the forge. What you are seeing is bits and pieces I use to seal it up where the bricks on the front let some flame leak by. The insulation in the forge is 2600° IFBs and 60/30/10 perlite/thin set mortar/furnace cement to fill the gaps and layer over the bricks on the inside.

Taylor
 
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