Tools/forge

Propane Tunnel Forge

This tool requires induction

Owing to it's dangerous nature, delicate nature, or expense, this tool requires that you be inducted on it's proper handling before use.

Introduction

Propane Tunnel Forge

We have a propane powered tunnel forge built by Steve-R for rLab, it requires induction. The forge is mounted on a wheeled cart with the air blower and gas bottle that power it underneath, and the 2 gas burners mounted on the top, it normally lives under the rear stairs near the fire exit. It is a tunnel type forge intended primarily for blade-smithing although it has been used for a wide range of other forging jobs, everything from garden forks to drum stands. The tunnel opening is 140mm x 76mm x 700mm and the rear door can be opened up to allow items of unlimited length to be forged in sections. There is a heat-proof shelf underneath the forge where hot work-pieces can be kept and where the tongs and other tools normally sit.

Current status

Date	Status	Comment
13th March 2022	Fully functional	Linings have been replaced and forge is back in service

Accessories

A variety of tongs and dop rods are kept on the shelf below the forge for use holding work, most of the tongs have been made using the forge it's self. You'll also find a hot-punch and an upsetting block there. The anvil that is used with the forge is found under the metal table on the north wall of the workshop. The anvil has an attached rack in which you will find 3 hammers suitable for blacksmithing use, and a hot-cut hardy tool made by Andy-N.

Usage Charge

There is a use-charge of £5/hr with a 1hr minimum on the forge, this applies even if you bring your own gas as it also covers the cost of the consumable forge linings. If you need to change the gas bottle a spare is kept at the bottom of the rear stairs, please vacuum out the air filter at the same time as changing the bottle. Once you've changed over the bottle, remove the "full" magnetic sticker from the new bottle and put the "in use" sticker on it instead, and post on the mailing list so we can get the empty bottle refilled.

Planned upgrades

• The air blower is to be upgraded to allow more powerful burners to be used to achieve the same end.
• Andy-N and Steve-R are working on making a hydraulic press that can be used in conjunction with the forge to make heavy blacksmithing operations less tiring.
• Rebuild with a larger tunnel to allow bigger work

Forge Caretakers

Workshops

The forge is extensively used in the Basic Bladesmithing workshop

Recent Changes

• Replaced linings, hours count was 200 Stever (talk) 22:33, 13 March 2022 (UTC)
• Replaced burners, hours count was 163 Stever (talk) 07:01, 23 February 2020 (UTC)
• Replaced linings, hours count was 90 Stever (talk) 09:28, 2 March 2019 (UTC)

Image Gallery

Please add any interesting photos you have of forging at rLab

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  Initially warming up the metal

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  Metal up to heat and ready for forging

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  Forming the tang of a knife

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  Forming the point of a blade

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  Cooling the metal in vermiculite to anneal