Klin Shelving as propane forge insulation along with kaowool?

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redbate

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Sep 20, 2015
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Hey guys I'm planning a propane forge build for the rainy days I can't have my coal forge out and was wondering if kiln shelving would suffice instead of hard fire bricks as it is very hard to find here. Between that and the shell there will be 2 layers of inch thick rigidized kaowool.

Thanks fellas in advance.
 
Or could I use ceramic Fiber Boards? I can find them as well for cheaper, also could I use them instead of kaowool?
 
First, you don't use hard firebrick to make a forge. You use soft firebrick.

Kiln shelf makes a good floor, but I wouldn't normally line the entire forge with it. You will need about 2" of wool insulation blanket around it. It will take a good while to bring the shelving lined chamber up to full soak, but would be fine once up to temperature. It will not be efficient on propane.

Ceramic fiberboard is good for lining, and is what the NC forges are lined with. I would wrap 1" ceramic board ( Ins-board) with 1" of Ins-wool. The biggest advantage of using Ins-board is that it is ready to go. No mixing, spreading, drying, curing, ... and no cracks. The main disadvantage is that it is flat, and a round chamber isn't possible. This can be dealt with buy making the forge chamber hexagonal or octagonal.
 
Kiln shelving will crack when used as a floor for making damascus.
 
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