Home Forging
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Overview
Constructing objects from raw metal is the most basic of all fabrication techniques. All that is required is heat and some way to hold the metal as it is being melted. In modern amateur forges a simple metal container that is lined with high temperature concrete is used. An air vent is added so that the flames can be made to burn hotter than they would under normal conditions.
- Basic Forge
- Metal container (large steel popcorn container)
- Inner combustion chamber (coffee can)
- Air blower (hair dryer)
- Air vent (non galvanized steel pipe, 18 inches)
- Fuel (BBQ charcoal)
- Refractory material (High temp concrete for fireplaces)
- Crucible (Ceramic jar or 1/2 of an oxygen tank)
- Safety Wear
- Leather welding gloves
- Face shield
- Safety Apron
- Filter mask (optional, for fumes)
Forging Aluminum
This is the simplest metal because of its relatively low melting point and its wide availability. I will be using aluminum to practice melting and casting.
Forging Brass
Brass will require more safety equipment than aluminum because of the zinc fumes it gives off
Forging Bronze
Forging Iron
Casting
Originally I was going to make my casting material out of fireclay and sand but a conversation I had with a man who ran a casting supply store has pointed me toward "casting sand". This is very fine grain sand mixed with bakelite. He also informed me that "fireclay" is plain silica clay that you get from the ground. With this info I should be able to acquire more materials cheaper.
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