Introduction: How to Make a Soup Can Forge

Runner Up in the
Jury Rig It! Contest

Participated in the
Epilog Challenge V
5 People Made This Project!
- Josh Peper made it!
- rmoulden made it!
- macniven made it!
- EurekaFactory made it!
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Runner Up in the
Jury Rig It! Contest
Participated in the
Epilog Challenge V
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180 Discussions
7 years ago
I made one and I love it! This really got me kick started into black smithing, and I am now in an apprenticeship with a friend of mine. Here's a picture of mine. I used a longer can for longer pieces of steel. Ot fires great as long as you have the right blow torch head (spiral flame).
Reply 5 years ago
How long has your forge lasted? Any breakdown of the plaster yet?
Reply 4 years ago
How long does the propane canister last? I've not used mine for any extended period of time, and i dont keep track of how long I've used it. Could I hook this up to a large propane tank?
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
Looks awesome!
3 years ago
How Did you get the flame to get so big?
4 years ago
Would I be able to make a hole in the other end so I could heat longer peices of metal, or would that break the creation?
6 years ago
Will this work with a paint can
Reply 4 years ago
Actually search up paint can forge and there is a whole different instructable for a paint can forge, because I doubt the same method used here would work for a paint can, only because a single blow torch could not heat that entire space enough to be useful
4 years ago
my igniter for my torch does not have a button that stays pressed in when pressed in, and then comes out when pressed again. Is it safe enough to use tape to hold it in place, or should I find a different igniter?
5 years ago on Introduction
Awesome instructable Dude!!! super simple! Hope you can write for me the composition of the plaster (i didn´t understand that part of the video, as english is not my first language) and the type of gas used with the torch. Best regared!
Reply 5 years ago
50% plaster of Paris and 50% sand mixed to a thick clay consistency
Reply 4 years ago
wHAT KIND OD SAND NDO YOU USE? GARDEN SAND OR BUILDING Sand?
4 years ago
made one for my shop class to use. Works good. Thanks
4 years ago
Cant get mine to heat
4 years ago
The only sand I could get my hands on was 50 lbs of play sand. After looking at this instructable again, I think I need a different type of sand, or more plaster in the mix. The forge doesn't seem to evenly heat, and the only place I could get any metal to turn red was right in front of the flame. Also, how long does it take to properly cure? Thanks.
5 years ago
on other videos they leave the tunnel the whole way through. would that be better? also why dont you just put a can in the middle while it sets then the hole would look allot cleaner.
5 years ago
How long should it take to get to max temperature on first use? Im trying to speed up the plaster/sand mixture drying but its taking a while
5 years ago
To the original uploader or anyone who has built this: what is the lifespan of the plaster when forging steel? I am building a forge to make knives and may also be doing some forge welding. Need to know if plaster+sand/perlite will be able to stand up to the heat.
5 years ago on Introduction
Awesome!
5 years ago on Introduction
Very well presented and helpful. Thanks