How to make a Gas Forge Better

Last Revised: October 23, 2023


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I have seen many emails and read many posts on various newsgroups and heard many folks discuss the subject of making a gas forge, but wanting to change from some existing design component for some reason. Often, the person has some sort of general improvement in mind, but may not know how to evaluate that desire against any possible side effects that might occur.

Also, they may not have the capability to actually design and implement that improvement.
Although I'm no expert on the subject, I have worked with heat and heat treating on and off throughout my career. I have learned that there is a lot more than meets the eye to these designs. For instance: I worked for a company that designed and manufactured and operated Large commercial heat treating furnaces (Ipsen Industries) and when they needed new burners designed, THEY even went to outside experts!

So, here below, I am attempting to provide Food for Thought for those interested in buying, building or modifying gas forge designs:

First, here is a list of attributes that are more or less common to all gas forges.
Although I have done my best to cover every aspect of design, I'm sure this is not a complete list. If you are considering buying, making, designing or modifying a gas forge, you should consider every one of these attributes as they apply to your needs and goals. Whole books probably have been or could be devoted to each of these attributes. This list is just intended to get you thinking.


Wanting to make things better immediately begs the question better than what?
So, once you have determined what you like and what you don't like, you need to determine how you will know that you are indeed getting the desired result. This is pretty easy when you are talking about capacity, overall size, etc.. But if you want to compare fuel usage, ultimate maximum temperature, etc., you need Measuring Devices. Minimum Measuring Devices (instrumentation):

Optional instrumentation Attributes that don't take to direct measurement(For these attributes you need to be able to describe what the baseline is for that attribute, so you can detect a variance)

The old saying goes " 'Ya pays me now or 'ya pays me later". I hope these thoughts make your first gas forge
"Right the First Time"!