Heat treating forge/setup

[LRB]

Great minds think alike. I ordered two of the Mr. Volcano double burners for my son-in-law for Christmas presents and my wife ordered me one. I can't play with it until Christmas though. I also ordered them a few fire bricks a piece and some 1095 steel to get them started.

If you intend to make blades,1095 is not a good steel for beginners to start out with without having proper equipment and at least basic knowledge of the requirements 1095 demands. You would be better off starting with 1080/84. Either of those two can give you a much better chance of getting a good blade with simple heat treating. 1095 is very particular as to what it is quenched in and the temps that are best for working with it. Heat treating 1095 frizzens is a different matter and more forgiving.

 

[HighUintas]

@Trapper Scott , is that Mr volcano forge big enough to fit buttplates and trigger guards in? I've been wanting to try to make some and would rather braze instead of solder for strength. Having a mini forge would be more useful to me than getting an acetylene torch setup

 

[Trapper Scott]

@Trapper Scott , is that Mr volcano forge big enough to fit buttplates and trigger guards in? I've been wanting to try to make some and would rather braze instead of solder for strength. Having a mini forge would be more useful to me than getting an acetylene torch setup

The double burner is big enough but not sure about the single burner since it's a little smaller. You can look up the size of the forge on Amazon. I think the widths are the same but one is longer than the other.

 

[TDM]

My single burner is 9 1/2” long. The width is 9” but with the insulation you loose about 2”. So 9 1/2 x 7 is the working measurement. I keep the back covered with fire brick.

 

[Trapper Scott]

My single burner is 9 1/2” long. The width is 9” but with the insulation you loose about 2”. So 9 1/2 x 7 is the working measurement. I keep the back covered with fire brick.

I got six fire bricks in the mail today, but one of them was broken in half, so the sons-in-law will have a couple of bricks with their forge.

 

[TDM]

I got six fire bricks in the mail today, but one of them was broken in half, so the sons-in-law will have a couple of bricks with their forge.

You know I remember dreading my bricks being shipped because I’d read how often they brake. Luckily none of mine did. I use one inside, 2 for bottom support, and the other 3 to cover the back. So far so good with them.

 

[Trapper Scott]

You know I remember dreading my bricks being shipped because I’d read how often they brake. Luckily none of mine did. I use one inside, 2 for bottom support, and the other 3 to cover the back. So far so good with them.

I contacted the company and they basically said send it back to Amazon and take your chances again, but I already had two bricks to start with so I'll keep the broken one and give the boys two a piece. I didn't like my chances risking another shipment.

 

[TDM]

@Trapper Scott the broken one might come in handy for closing off part of the front opening for certain projects.

 

[Trapper Scott]

@Trapper Scott the broken one might come in handy for closing off part of the front opening for certain projects.

I didn't think of that. Good idea.