Refractory cement alternatives.

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i.keenum

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I live in south Mississippi and fireplaces are rarely used so I have had problems finding refractory cement or fire place cement. Want to build my own charcoal forge and want to know what is readily available at your average lowes that I could use in place refractory cement or clay. Know this horse is probably beat to death but thank you guys for your time and energy!
 
Although not a charcoal forge, I made my propane forge from a small 8 pack of "fireplace" brick I got from my local Menards. I got it on clearance for $11. But regular price was $18. They've worked great ever since. Off topic but, not really, I just got my K23 firebrick in today for my oven build! Pretty excited!
 
As far as something available in the local hardware store I can't say. If you go online and search on "refractory Mississippi"
you should end up with several places in your state and hopefully not far from you which carry refractory products. Call them, explain what you are trying to do ans ask for suggestions. They might be able to givre you the name of a foundry or such in your area where you can pick up what you need. Since your profile doesn't say where you are, I can't narrow it down to a smaller geographic location.
Jim A.
 
I live right on the coast near Waveland. I was wondering if there was a diy cement I could cobble from plaster and sand or the like. Ill start searching for a mason supply in the area I know there are a few.
 
Being a fellow cheapskate I made my gas forge using alternative materials - Perlite and silica pool filter sand and Sodium silicate as refractory binder. And it works. Probably not as good as the real deal, but pretty danged good. It will probably last a good while as long as I am just using it to heat treat. However I have about as much in it as if I had just bit the bullet and ordered satanite and kaowool.

Despite that If I was doing a charcoal forge I might try building an elevated ground forge and just using dirt (more or less) as the liner. But - apparently I never learn.
 
There are refractory suppliers and blacksmith suppliers all over MS,AK,Tx,LA. Most or all will carry satanite, refractory compounds, and fireclay.

Look for a blacksmith in your area and he will probably tell you where he gets his stuff.

I have 2000# of Castolite#30 sitting in my storage to give away, but you are a bit far of a drive.
 
Tony Miller makes so beautiful blades and lives about 30 miles away. I may try to contact him and get some advice.
 
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