For those of us without oxy-acy torch or forge

[tom in nc]

I guess the best we can do is a Mapp torch. I've looked for info from one who knows on how to best use a Mapp torch, with no success. Will somone direct me to one, or make one please? Thanks.

 

[Gtrubicon]

Just yesterday I saw where a small forge was made out of a large soup can, lined with plaster of Paris and sand, it was fired by a map gas torch. It seemed to concentrate and keep the heat well. It was a u tube video.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

Going through this myself and here's what I have so far ... so please keep in touch with me/us on this!

Forging with MAAP - See How to Forge With MAPP Gas: A Step-by-Step Guide

Forges - @Henry Elwood is forging his own parts right now for a hand made wheellock and he recommends these gas forges, quote:

"Greetings Flint,
This is a Commercial Forge. I got it from Centaur Forge they are a good company to do buisness with. I have a Whisper Daddy and Baby. And they are relatively quiet. The Daddy has x3 Burners and I got that to Work an Anchor Link from scratch and they are Big, to me. I used this when I started the Miquellets. BUT, to tell you the truth I use my Baby more frequently because it has the same Temp but I'm only using x1 Burner and less Propane. If I need to do something I just fire it up let it heat up for about 10 minutes and I'm good. Working a regular Forge requires a bunch more. I hope you can see the information from their catalog. The last pic are what I use most of the time to shape parts.
Thanks, Hank"

See link, post #89: Wheellock Project

 

[Sam squanch]

Get some firebrick and mortar or wire together 4 of them . Drill a hole big enough for the torch nozzle, easy small forge! Plenty of ideas on yoo- snoob…

 

[IanH]

I made a passable one just as Mr. Squanch noted. I drilled a hole through one of the firebricks with a masonry bit and stuck a steel tube into it, then poked my propane torch with a MAPP bottle screwed on up to the air inlet holes in the tube and let it eat. Good for small springs and such that easily get overheated on the sharp edges with direct flame. For bigger stuff I use a propane knife forge or my pottery kiln.

 

[FlinterNick]

I guess the best we can do is a Mapp torch. I've looked for info from one who knows on how to best use a Mapp torch, with no success. Will somone direct me to one, or make one please? Thanks.

What are you needing high heat for?

You can accomplish most tasks with a MAPP torch or turbo torch.

 

[hawkenhunter50]

.

 

[hawkeye2]

Google one brick forge.

https://www.christcenteredironworks.com/store/p114/one_brick_forge.html

 

[bud in pa]

When building a one brick forge make sure to use a SOFT fire brick. I tried a hard one and it ate my spade BIT!

 

[Indy Durtdigger]

I've dabbled with some blacksmithing. Made some things, repaired some things. What are you trying to do? What kind of budget are you playing with. You can go super cheap with stuff that may be laying around your house to make a makeshift forge to heat with or just spend a overly reasonable amount (can be sub 100 to sub 200) and have and actual forge gas or coal. You can use wood or charcoal briquettes to heat and shape with but won't be able to achieve a reliable welding heat. If you want to be able to achieve a welding heat you can get a propane gas one pretty cheap.

 

[SDSmlf]

The crowd I worked with claimed the original MAPP gas went away maybe 2010 and the replacement/substitute was closer to propane than the original MAPP gas.

 

[Rendezvous Valley Trading]

I was a blacksmith for eight years as my full time job. This little forge heats just as good as the big one we had in the shop Couple hundred dollars is all they cost. I used the little firebrick one mentioned above with mapp gas also for little stuff but this little propane one will save you money in the long run because of the price of the mapp canisters. It’s a two burner but I plug off one burner with a small piece of metal and block the back port with another piece and just run one burner for most small stuff. Just my two cents. The coffee can one is also a great option if a proper forge isn’t monetarily possible. Lots of ideas for them online.

 

[hawkenhunter50]

The crowd I worked with claimed the original MAPP gas went away maybe 2010 and the replacement/substitute was closer to propane than the original MAPP gas.

I've heard the same

 

[TDM]

If you really want to go cheap, you can rig up a charcoal forge from odds and ends and a hair dryer. But a single burner propane forge can be had for a very reasonable cost. I have a Mr. Volcano, does everything I need it to do.

 

[Gtrubicon]

View attachment 288036
I was a blacksmith for eight years as my full time job. This little forge heats just as good as the big one we had in the shop Couple hundred dollars is all they cost. I used the little firebrick one mentioned above with mapp gas also for little stuff but this little propane one will save you money in the long run because of the price of the mapp canisters. It’s a two burner but I plug off one burner with a small piece of metal and block the back port with another piece and just run one burner for most small stuff. Just my two cents. The coffee can one is also a great option if a proper forge isn’t monetarily possible. Lots of ideas for them online.

I’d like to see more of this forge, it’s a perfect size.

 

[Gtrubicon]

I have a rose bud for my torches, it works but it’s not efficient. Oxyacetylene is expensive, and a 2 hour round trip for me. Don’t overlook kingsford charcoal, it works, MAPP works, campfire works. It depends on what you’re trying to do. If your forge welding it’s gotta be hot, if you’re bending, forming or shaping there are many ways to achieve this. For me the journey is 80% of the destination.

 

[Togo]

Same situation, I had to buy a new frizzen for one of my rifles, I didn't realize I would have to harden it too, so now I wait.

 

[TDM]

I just checked on Amazon. They have single burners as cheap as $61.99 and a stainless steel model for $79.95. Most all are less than $150.
I someone wants to get one make sure it comes with a few fire bricks and coating mix for the fire blanket. The fire blanket needs to be coated and dried before using it for longevity.

 

[Rendezvous Valley Trading]

@Gtrubicon. I can get some more if I remember tomorrow night after work. It’s a great little forge.

 

[Indy Durtdigger]

View attachment 288062
@Gtrubicon. I can get some more if I remember tomorrow night after work. It’s a great little forge.

Looks like the same one I have. I usually use the homemade wood/coal fired one stoked by a blow dryer cause I'm cheap.