Immortan D Posted November 28, 2017 Report Share Posted November 28, 2017 I need one for occasional metal hardening on small tools I'm planning on making (owls, marking knives). What do you guys have in your shops? I've been looking at pretty cheap butane units and also a much more expensive Dremel one with lots of accessories I'm not sure I need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ..Kev Posted November 28, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted November 28, 2017 I prefer Mapp Gas because it gets hotter.. https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=map+gas&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=177805648537&hvpos=1t1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9473915901461228969&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9021148&hvtargid=kwd-69164506&ref=pd_sl_tx9dmqsiv_e 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted November 28, 2017 Report Share Posted November 28, 2017 Yes, Mapp gets much hotter than butane or propane. Sure does stink before you light it though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted November 28, 2017 Report Share Posted November 28, 2017 Get the self lighting MAPP gas one in the link above. If I'm remembering correctly, it's cheaper at Lowes than Amazon. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted November 28, 2017 Report Share Posted November 28, 2017 +1 on the Mapp gas ! I've been using it for over 30 years. The torch linked is great, I got one a few years back and it's very convenient to use. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Bob Posted November 28, 2017 Report Share Posted November 28, 2017 Another vote for Mapp gas, if you are going to be hardening on a regular basis build a small forge like @Tom King it will maintain a even heat much easier, and make the hardening process quicker. Fire brick is readily available and easy to work. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted November 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2017 Thanks guys. Is it safe to store it inside the house? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 28, 2017 Report Share Posted November 28, 2017 4 minutes ago, Immortan D said: Thanks guys. Is it safe to store it inside the house? As safe as any other gas cylinder.. I keep one inside and have never had an issue. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted November 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2017 Last question: is a hose convenient? This one is available at a local hardware store: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted November 28, 2017 Report Share Posted November 28, 2017 I don’t see it as an issue 99% of the time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmotjr Posted November 28, 2017 Report Share Posted November 28, 2017 I have the dremel, and I would not recommend it for your application, it's too small. It's a great little butane torch though, excellent cigar lighter! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 28, 2017 Report Share Posted November 28, 2017 I don't have the hose attachment but, must admit that I never wish I had one either. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted November 29, 2017 Report Share Posted November 29, 2017 I could see the hose being handy when sweating copper in an awkward position. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattSC Posted November 29, 2017 Report Share Posted November 29, 2017 Recently I've become interested in metal smithing its Paul Sellers fault I saw his video on making your own wooden bodied spokeshave. In the video Paul does some "forging" in heat treating the blade. Here's the video Disclaimer: Some comments posted for the video by Smiths were critical of Mr. Sellers heat treating method. In my interest I came upon a Smithing Forum called I forge iron (or something like that) where I found posts on making a homemade charcoal forge called "JABOD" which stands for Just A/Another Box Of Dirt *loves that. Im leaning toward making a forge like this or more based on early 1900 portable Army forges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted November 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2017 Interesting video from PS, I always learn new ways to do things when I watch his videos. I guess his goal is to show that things can be done without having to buy a bunch of tools. But since I already have a grinder and I will get a blow torch, I think I'm not going to follow the poor man's path on this occasion LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted December 1, 2017 Report Share Posted December 1, 2017 Interesting thread. Can any of you be more specific regarding sources for this 'readily available' fire brick? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 1, 2017 Report Share Posted December 1, 2017 Look at masonry supply companies, not big box home centers. If they sell brick and concrete/cinder blocks they should have firebrick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Bob Posted December 1, 2017 Report Share Posted December 1, 2017 1 hour ago, wtnhighlander said: Interesting thread. Can any of you be more specific regarding sources for this 'readily available' fire brick? Fireplace, woodstove and pottery supplies and even on amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Rutland-Products-604-Fire-Brick/dp/B000UEYZ4S/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1512093749&sr=8-3&keywords=fire+brick 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted December 1, 2017 Report Share Posted December 1, 2017 Like Steve said, it might take a drive to a mid-size town, but masonry supply usually carries from pavers to any wall or fireplace material. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 1, 2017 Report Share Posted December 1, 2017 I keep forgetting that some of you are geographically challenged ! Living in a regional hub means anything is in a store or warehouse nearby, but the traffic to get there is hell ! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted December 5, 2017 Report Share Posted December 5, 2017 On 12/1/2017 at 8:08 AM, wdwerker said: I keep forgetting that some of you are geographically challenged ! Living in a regional hub means anything is in a store or warehouse nearby, but the traffic to get there is hell ! Ain't that the truth. I can get anything I want within a 20 mile yet 3 hour round trip 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted December 5, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2017 23 minutes ago, Brendon_t said: Ain't that the truth. I can get anything I want within a 20 mile yet 3 hour round trip Samer. My favorite brands for power tools are Makita and Bosch, but guess what, there is a huge Dewalt-PC-B&D store just around the corner... pffft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted December 6, 2017 Report Share Posted December 6, 2017 I don't know what these little forges cost normally, but if I had seen this when I made the makeshift one, I would have bought it: https://greensboro.craigslist.org/tls/d/brand-new-propane-forge/6411041250.html I just pulled the firebricks in the picture out of my leftover masonry pile, from decades of building houses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted December 6, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2017 21 minutes ago, Tom King said: I don't know what these little forges cost normally, but if I had seen this when I made the makeshift one, I would have bought it: https://greensboro.craigslist.org/tls/d/brand-new-propane-forge/6411041250.html I just pulled the firebricks in the picture out of my leftover masonry pile, from decades of building houses. Honestly, if I ever build a forge I'd do it just like yours, Tom, with the bricks. Easy to build, easy to replace the bricks. Unless I turn myself into knife making or something like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted December 6, 2017 Report Share Posted December 6, 2017 The bricks stay hot for longer than one might think. The pattern of black dots in the picture is from a dotted work glove. Fortunately, it just melted plastic, and no flesh was harmed. I tried the "forge" with a brick on the end that you can't see in the picture, and without an end brick. It heated at least twice as fast with the brick on the end. I also almost had too many irons in the fire in that picture, but I had a helper handling the rods while I did the pounding. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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