Synopses & Reviews
The forge/heat treat oven created by Bill Goodman and Bob Holmes and detailed in this manual is impressive to say the least. It stands a bit over 5'2" tall from floor to the top of the twin burners. This puts the access doors at a convenient height to view the work in progress. The access openings are 6"x6" and the chamber is 22" from door to door. The furnace operates on propane and the flame is adjustable from 1-1/2 psi to 8 psi gas pressure. The unique burner design results in twin flames impinging on each other. The unit is very quiet and not intimidating to operate. The primary air volume increases as the pressure and volume of gas increases so there is no air shutter adjustment. The built in pyrometer gives instant, accurate temperature readings. No fan or blower needed and no electrical hook up required. You can take this forge anywhere in the world and it still works.
The versatile design allows for many uses. The large openings at either end permit multiple jobs at the same time or a long piece can be worked. It can be used by one person or several at the same time. Schools, blacksmith meetings and manufacturing firms will find this feature useful. And the large opening allows for aluminum or other metals to be melted so foundry work could also be done in this unit as well.
The forge is not that difficult to build as projects go and the skills required are minimal. It is made of heavy gage steel so you will need a metal cutting saw. Some of the parts are assembled by welding so a welder will be needed, and a lathe was used to form the wooden door handles. Most of the other tools requred will be found in the average home shop.