Forges?

osirus82 · November 20, 2013, 08:58 PM

So i just picked up a johnson benchtop gas forge and it got me thinking about what type of forges you folks use? I might consider doing some lead casting but i got it more just to play with metal.

**4V50 Gary** · November 20, 2013, 09:00 PM

I wouldn't use a forge just to melt lead.

Use it to heat metal to reshape it. Take benchmetal at Trinidad during the summer. They'll teach you to make your own chisels & gouges & scrapers. You'll save a ton of ducats if you can roll your own.

Chaz88 · November 20, 2013, 09:03 PM

I still have a forge but have not used it in a long time. Mine would run way to hot for casting lead. Silver, gold, brass, and similar metals with high melting tempers are much better. Also you generally need a high temp cup with lid to use a forge for casting or the metal will oxidize too much.

PawPaw · November 20, 2013, 10:11 PM

My son uses a coal forge for blacksmithing, but I couldn't imagine using those heats for lead.

osirus82 · November 22, 2013, 04:12 PM

i do have a high temp cup and this johnson gas forge has a cast iron lid on it that opens, im going to take my wire wheel and clean it up add a coat of high temp paint, the forge is this one just old and lil rusty. Im going to school for welding currently and they offer a black smithing class also, now i have more incentive to do that. I looked it up online and it says they go for 750.00

Wahoo.

November 20, 2013, 08:58 PM	#1
osirus82 Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2013 Posts: 102	Forges? So i just picked up a johnson benchtop gas forge and it got me thinking about what type of forges you folks use? I might consider doing some lead casting but i got it more just to play with metal.

November 20, 2013, 09:00 PM	#2
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,841	I wouldn't use a forge just to melt lead. Use it to heat metal to reshape it. Take benchmetal at Trinidad during the summer. They'll teach you to make your own chisels & gouges & scrapers. You'll save a ton of ducats if you can roll your own. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

November 20, 2013, 09:03 PM	#3
Chaz88 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2010 Posts: 1,243	I still have a forge but have not used it in a long time. Mine would run way to hot for casting lead. Silver, gold, brass, and similar metals with high melting tempers are much better. Also you generally need a high temp cup with lid to use a forge for casting or the metal will oxidize too much. __________________ Seams like once we the people give what, at the time, seams like a reasonable inch and "they" take the unreasonable mile we can only get that mile back one inch at a time. No spelun and grammar is not my specialty. So please don't hurt my sensitive little feelings by teasing me about it.

November 20, 2013, 10:11 PM	#4
PawPaw Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Central Louisiana Posts: 3,137	My son uses a coal forge for blacksmithing, but I couldn't imagine using those heats for lead. __________________ Dennis Dezendorf http://pawpawshouse.blogspot.com

November 22, 2013, 04:12 PM	#5
osirus82 Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2013 Posts: 102	i do have a high temp cup and this johnson gas forge has a cast iron lid on it that opens, im going to take my wire wheel and clean it up add a coat of high temp paint, the forge is this one just old and lil rusty. Im going to school for welding currently and they offer a black smithing class also, now i have more incentive to do that. I looked it up online and it says they go for 750.00 Wahoo. Last edited by osirus82; November 22, 2013 at 04:17 PM.