Re: Forging Info Needed

> Critter wrote:
> > Ron Reil's site is excellent source, but I do not like the venturi type
> > burners. You can get much hotter using a blower, and it is not that
> > difficult. It is very easy.
> >
>
> Hmmmm. I had no trouble reaching welding temperature for pattern welding
> (so-called damascus) with a homebuilt atmospheric forge. Guess it
> depends on the forge design. Reil's burners generally work very well for
> pattern welding if the forge is adequately insulated. you may save a bit
> on fuel if you adjust the blown forge for a precise mixture, but you can
> do that with an atmospheric too by adjusting the gas infeed pressure.
>
> I now use a forced air forge in the shop, but that's because it was
> cheap. :)
>
> For parts for burners and insulating wool, write Jay Hayes at
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> Jay's good people and maintains a complete line of parts and materials
> for building forges.



There is no question that venturi burners can get things hot, but the
performance can be enhanced by increasing the amount of fuel input, and
ordinarily you need a blower to provide enough O2.

I use a regulator on the fuel line, and a fan speed control on the blower.
You can adjust the flame quite easily with these 2 controls, creating a
flame which is much hotter than a venturi because you are forcing beyond the
limits of a venturi burner. I have created flames which are similar looking
to an oxy/propane torch, but much larger, and not quite as hot obviously -
but close.

I made a torch which was 6 inches in diameter at the tip - nice balanced
flame, but I junked it because it was just experimental. The fan did not
have enough power. I made it from the body of a large torpedo style heater,
and every once in a while it would flashback with a big woof. I have plans
to rebuild one about hat same size or bigger, but I need a high volume air
regulator.

There is one method which I have not seen tried with venturi burners, is by
using a 2 fuel system. I would suggest building your venturi burner as
usual, and adding a steel tube which would carry old motor oil such that the
tube gets hot and vaporizes the oil. Oil has twice the BTU's of propane, but
it is hard to keep it lit. Using this fuel combination system, the oil would
burn just fine being assisted by the propane, but the venturi principle may
not provide enough O2. I'd say it 's worth a try - used motor oil is cheaper
and hotter than propane, and a balanced flame would be just as clean.