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Ed Caffrey's Workshop Talk to Ed Caffrey ... The Montana Bladesmith! Tips, tricks and more from an ABS Mastersmith. |
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#1
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temp control for forge?
Hi Ed!
It's been too long since I was last at your place and I cannot recall how you have you forges controlled for temperature (time for another class ). Anyhow, do you use a thermocouple + controller to manipulate the temps or do you just use your themocouple/thermometer reading to adjust the flow/mixture of the propane? I know your salt tank is setup with the thermocuple/controlller/solenoid gas valve and was wondering if this would be feasible/doable for a forge? Thanks Ed! Dana |
#2
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Hi Dana!
Some folks do have their forges set up like I do the salt tanks. However, I found it to be annoying, and possibly even dangerous, so I adjust the forge with the fuel/air that goes in, and use the pyrometer to "monitor" the forge temp. On my smaller forge (the one you learned on) I can dial it in from about 1400F to 2100F. My welding forge is designed more for high temps, so its adjustability ranges from about 1700F to 2500F+ at wide open. Most of the time I keep the temp in the welding forge around 2350F. Some might think thats too high, but if you have the fuel/air mixture running right its fine. Anyway, back to the pyrometer.... I think the best ratio of cost to performance I've found so far is purchasing a PID controller from Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/Universal-Digita...QQcmdZViewItem I've purchase a few from this seller and have had good luck with them. Next is a thermocouple. I get mine from Omega.com: http://www.omega.com/ppt/pptsc.asp?ref=JTIN If you go down the page, near the bottom, you can build your own thermocouple and order it. I have the manuals for the PID controllers, and if you decide to get one, let me know if they don't include one. Another option, that is more spendy, is to purchase a pyrometer and thermocouple from a ceramics type outfit. I own one from Bailey ceramics, but for the pyrometer and thermocouple your looking at about $200. __________________ WWW.CAFFREYKNIVES.NET Caffreyknives@gmail.com "Every CHOICE has a CONSEQUENCE, and all your CONSEQUENCES are a result of your CHOICES." Last edited by Ed Caffrey; 01-31-2008 at 05:27 PM. |
#3
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Thanks Ed!
That setup sounds like an easier approach, especially for the bone-head electrically challenged .
I am assuming (again, I cannot remember) that your welding forge is a forced air burner instead of a venturi type, correct? Thanks, again, Ed for the help. Dana |
#4
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Hi Dana!
Yes, the welding forge has blower on it, and my other two are just venturi. On the venturi forges you just adjust the propane needle valve, and on the welding forge you have to adjust both the propane needle valve AND the blower. The PID/thermocuple works the same no matter what forge you apply it to. __________________ WWW.CAFFREYKNIVES.NET Caffreyknives@gmail.com "Every CHOICE has a CONSEQUENCE, and all your CONSEQUENCES are a result of your CHOICES." |
#5
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got it
Thanks for the help, Ed!
Dana |
#6
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Dana...
Here's an inexpensive analog pyrometer on ebay.... http://cgi.ebay.com/OMEGA-ANALOG-THE...QQcmdZViewItem __________________ WWW.CAFFREYKNIVES.NET Caffreyknives@gmail.com "Every CHOICE has a CONSEQUENCE, and all your CONSEQUENCES are a result of your CHOICES." |
#7
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Perfect!
Thanks for the heads-up, Ed! It's even located in Colorado. Maybe I'll use this as an excuse to
pay a visit to the mountains . It's probably only a 3-4 hour drive Thanks again! Dana |
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