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how to build a gas forge burner

how to build a gas forge burner
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First and Foremost, This burner was designed by Mr. Ron Reil. All credit for this design goes to him. Visit Ron Reil’s page at the link below:

http://ronreil.abana.org/design1.shtml

Also, Fire is Hot. A burner like this puts out a significant amount of heat and using such a device improperly is likely to cause you injury and/or property damage. I suggest you use good safety procedures building and operating this burner, BUT AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR ACTIONS OR CHOICES NOR AM I RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR INJURY THAT MAY RESULT FROM YOU BUILDING AND USING THIS DEVICE.

There are countless designs for forge burners and furnace burners online. I like this one because it is simple to construct, and the materials are easily obtainable from most hardware stores.

This burner was built for this small forge. The forge is small enough that I can run the burner at under 5 psi and keep the interior at a good working temperature.However, this burner design does work well in larger forges, many large forges even use multiple burners.

In order to build this forge burner, You will need a drill, a set of bits, and a couple of files. If you don’t have a tap to install the set screws, there is an alternate method that I will address at the end of this article. Also, in order to forge the flare for this burner, you will need a functional forge already, or another heat source. If this is your first forge, there is obviously going to be a problem here. The alternate method for this too will be at the end of the article.

Also, it is important to note that you will need a gas regulator to run this burner. Simply running a hose from the burner assembly to your propane tank is not going to cut it. Regulators can be purchased locally at welding supply stores.


 
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Step 1TOOLS AND MATERIALS

TOOLS AND MATERIALS
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MATERIALS

The main burner assembly is made from black iron pipe fittings. I bought all of these off the shelf at Lowe’s. DO NOT use galvanized fittings as they will produce toxic fumes when heated.

The brass fittings are all 1/8″. The 4″ nipple, coupler and end cap on the left make up the segment that is installed into the intake of the burner. The rest of the fittings serve to distance the hose connection from the heat of the burner, and can be constructed in any configuration you want.
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34 comments
Mar 26, 2012. 7:17 AMTruehart says:
Could this burner or your other propane torch method be used with this forge: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-To-Make-A-Bladesmiths-Forge/ ?

Also, does propane burn hot enough to reform a leaf spring from a vehicle?
Jan 8, 2012. 10:26 AMcowscankill says:
My burner created a nice double flame and heated a soup can to red hot within seconds. But somehow, it doesn't do that anymore and it just shoots out a single flame that barely heats anything. Could this be a problem with my oxygen/gas ratio that isn't creating the torch effect? Is this a fixable issue?

I found out that my first trials didn't work because the gas can was very low on pressure. I used a new one, but the inner cone flame went away after a few minutes. If I have to always maintain high pressure, what would be the best way...? Smaller pilot hole?
Jan 9, 2012. 8:33 AMcowscankill says:
There is plenty of oxygen, I added holes near the back with a breech to control the extra air input. Every three times the inner flame did appear, it was blue (cyan I suppose?)
I added length to the burner temporarily with PVC and still got no inner flame. Same for when I pushed the flare all the way back on the burner.
The last combination I can think of is making a new, small pilot hole (again) and using a longer flare combo (maybe shorter too)....
I've invested $100 on everything, $40 on the burner, so I really want this to work heh. Last time I lost $90 on an unsalvageable project, I was sad.
Jan 9, 2012. 12:37 PMcowscankill says:
Hehehe, I finally got the double flame (though not uniform and pretty). Heats up rebar pretty red/orange and I already tempered a tool for my friend. We also melted aluminum and we were going to make ingots, but got rained out.
Jan 9, 2012. 10:26 AMcowscankill says:
The pilot hole was slanted.... I fixed it and it works fine now.
Thanks for the instructions, this is exactly what I needed for my forge.
Jan 14, 2012. 2:47 PMcowscankill says:
I finally got a video of the burner in action, best investment yet! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6JnaTRnmPk
Dec 6, 2011. 4:14 PMcool2000 says:
do you need to bell out the end or can you just leave it strait
Dec 3, 2011. 10:58 AMcurvy77 says:
....is this really a forge or is this A FREAKIN JET ENGINE!?! THIS IS AWSOME!
Sep 9, 2011. 2:36 PMHanzieO says:
Very nice idble. Thanks I made one and are happily on the road to amature blacksmithing. I have made a 9kg propane tank forge yith your burner and a homemade anvil. I have made 2 knives and a couple of coupbard handles so far.

This burner is very simle to make and works very well.

Great fotos as well.
Aug 19, 2011. 1:05 PMpoppamies says:
can i use this burner desing in forge welding? does this give me enough heat?
Aug 19, 2011. 6:39 AMgary.918 says:
again very good .
Aug 11, 2011. 1:05 PMUnbending Metal says:
Great job!

Could this be adapted to use natural gas in place of propane? I don't like to refill the propane tanks and have access to natural gas.
Jul 21, 2011. 12:39 PMmutantpoptart says:
Great burner, I use one for Raku firing my pottery.
Jul 7, 2011. 12:00 PMEricc815 says:
Burning petroleum products mixed with air in an open atmosphere is a barrel full of variables... Your question needs more specifics and identify which efficiency you have in mind.
Jul 7, 2011. 8:19 PMdrewgrey says:
This is a top notch instructable and a great looking forge. Stoichiometric ratio is what I was wondering about specifically ,not that I see any fault in this design, I'm just curious if anyone has tested it side by side with a forge with a injector that moves in and out for tuning the venturi?
Jul 11, 2011. 4:57 PMdrewgrey says:
That's what I'm wondering. I also have wondered if a clever person could monitor the burnt gases with an o2 sensor. The gas would have to be drawn off and cooled to levels equal to a car exhaust but it would be a good project for a school.
Jul 5, 2011. 10:24 PMCeiling cat says:
How much thrust does it put out?
Jul 7, 2011. 6:12 AMnanosec12 says:
It's not THAT kind of a burner....this one is used to heat a forge for working metal, not for pushing a vehicle
Jul 10, 2011. 10:52 AMCeiling cat says:
lol I was joking. ;)
Jul 6, 2011. 1:30 PMOld Nubbins says:
Whatever PSI you regulator is set to.
Jul 7, 2011. 6:35 PMMugai says:
Greetings, Nicely done. Looks quite usable and the instruction is complete and clear enough to actually make the beastie, My first thought is to use one as the burner for a small foundry.

ANY suggestions, hints, etc, will be appreciated.
Jul 6, 2011. 9:22 PMdrewgrey says:
The setup you use obviously works great but I wonder if it is as effeciant as the style (like mine) where you can adjust both the gas pressure and the point in the venturi where the gas is injected. Has anyone ever done a head to head test ?
Jul 7, 2011. 6:55 PMuuglypher says:
I couldn't count how many instructables I've read, but this one should at the top of the paradigms of how they should be conceived, contrived, and produced. Simply a super job! I had more than a few misgivings about building and using a forge, but you've made it clear that the process is definitely within my capabilities. Many thanks for an exceptional Instructable.
Jul 7, 2011. 7:11 AMWhYKnoT says:
I have viewed many different "instructable's" on this site, and elsewhere.
This is one of the absolute best!

It clearly and concisely written, and very well illustrated.
Furthermore, the photos show the skill which you are blessed with; they also demonstrate that one only requires relatively simple tools, and determination, to effect a fine project.

I look forward to studying your website.

Thank You!
Jul 7, 2011. 1:52 PMmadbastard says:
Larry Zoeller sells SS flared ends for this type of burner. And for Drewgrey, The injector can be adjusted by using the set screw to move it up or down. I made two of these burners and they work great at 2-3 Lbs. of pressure, I can heat a RR spike to forging temp in less than two minutes. Larry Zoeller also sells hoses and regulators for them. His web site is: http://zoellerforge.com/
Jul 7, 2011. 6:31 AMjj2k says:
Nice instructable on a really good burner design. I have used this design for the past 12 years and have never had any issues with it.

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