Home » community » news/blogs
» closer look at patio chair

closer look at patio chair

Paula - Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - 9:27am
closer look at patio chair

» add new comment | thumbnail
NELSON's picture

Paula I do not have a forge

NELSON - Thursday, February 28, 2008 - 6:46pm

Paula I do not have a forge as yet.Talk about doing things the hard way by torch heating huh! I was making a coal one,and it turned out it`s extremely difficult to get coal where I live,so I making a gas forge soon, ìt`s supposed to be better.Anyway, do you run the hot steel under some lined roller device and then do the twisting or it`s just all hand work? My inquiry is about those chisel deep and long lines. I love them. So much work and detail often times not easy to see. Close ups are nice to appreciate the esence of some work! Buy the way, would you mind my including you on my buddy list? I got not list at all! LOL


» reply
Gene Olson's picture

if you have wood you can

Gene Olson - Thursday, February 28, 2008 - 7:57pm

if you have wood you can make charcoal which will work fine for forging.
a 30 gal drum makes a good retort.

people try 55 gal ones but they are too big, the whole point of the retort is to limit combustion and the 55 gal drums are large enough to have internal convection currents, (ie they suck fresh air down from the top.

The trick is like 4, 1 in holes in a the bottom edge of a 30 gal drum with both ends cut out. and bricks to cover them if flow needs to be limited.
the barrel is charged with some paper small flamables on the bottom easily lit from one of the holes and then filled with wood scraps, boards, split wood. . . .

The tinder is lit and once started the combustion happens mainly on the gas emitted by the wood and largely at the surface of the barrel top. I think the guy I was helping said about 20 min. and then the fire starts to drop down into the barrel. when that happens the charcoal is done.

Gene Olson
Sculptor
Elk River, MN


» reply
NELSON's picture

Yes Gene that`s definetely

NELSON - Thursday, February 28, 2008 - 11:12pm

Yes Gene that`s definetely much better than torch heating and could be a step before I get sophisticated with the heat jet of a gas forge.By the way,I know copper is one of your experties.One word about GASFLUX ? I`m planning to get a GASFLUXER after I browsed the site sugested by (excuse I forgot your name),I`m greatful for advice. Learn,learn... Gene, man I`ve got nobody on " my buddies" list,feels lonely,and just included Paula. Would you mind being the first gentle... to join my list!? Hey no LOL, or uh`s. I`m dead serious! thanks,I know you would...Nelson.


» reply
Paula's picture

Ya, we can be buddies. I use

Paula - Thursday, February 28, 2008 - 9:33pm

Ya, we can be buddies.

I use the torch for a lot of my work, but you're correct in saying that a forge would be and is easier.
the lines in the metal i used a cutting wheel on a die grinder. Random cuts, long lines. I use square stock for this. (if i want it tapered, i draw it out before grinding the lines) Then I heat and twist one direction, move farther down the stock, twist the opposite way. Then, heat and hammer out the corners. Hammering closes some of the lines, but i think that is what gives it a more realistic look. Experiment to see what look you like.

Ok buddie, there ya go
Paula
Guthrie, MN


» reply