Common forge ventilation mistakes

[Sparksfly]

Hey, have you ever run into trouble with bad airflow in your forge, like things getting risky or just not working right? What problems have you noticed, and what did you do to solve them?

 

[Jo Melon]

Hey, have you ever run into trouble with bad airflow in your forge, like things getting risky or just not working right? What problems have you noticed, and what did you do to solve them?

What kind of forge are you using, coal or propane? The answer changes everything. If the problem is heavy scale on your steel, that's an atmosphere issue. For a propane forge, you want to tune your burner for a neutral flame, not an oxidizing one. Using flux can also create a barrier to protect the workpiece.

 

[forgeandforget]

Great call on flame tuning and using flux. Also, take a look at the geometry of the forge chamber. Bad burner placement or not enough swirl can lead to cold spots and uneven heating. When working with coal, make sure the draft is right and that you’re removing clinkers regularly to keep the airflow consistent.