Author Topic: 2 maybe 3 birds 1 stone?  (Read 7481 times)

Offline shipto

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2 maybe 3 birds 1 stone?
« on: September 26, 2013, 06:57:46 PM »
The carousel has been put on temporary hold while i do something else which I will probably post next week sometime but I found myself thinking about the approaching winter weather and the need for cheap affordable heating.
So I have thought of an idea which may do 3 jobs in one tidy package, the plan is to build a forge outside the shop and line the back with bricks with holes forming channels all the way from one side to the other I can then use a 3 speed fan to draw hot air (might need to tune the insulation so its not too hot) into the workshop via some ducting.
Then I thought that being as i will be putting a blower on it for forge related work I might be able to rig up something to place on the blower outlet which will let me melt metal for casting too.
so I will have:
A: a fireplace thats not endangering the workshop and wont need putting out when I am done for the day and can burn itself out. Blower will not be used in this mode and the 3 speed fan can pull the hot air through the holes in the bricks and I can load it up with scrap wood to save on proper fuel.
B: a perfectly useable forge with a blower
C: with the addition of the furnace part a furnace for melting metals.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Turns out this life c**p is just one big distraction from death but a good one. For the love of god dont give yourself time to think.
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Offline vtsteam

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Re: 2 maybe 3 birds 1 stone?
« Reply #1 on: September 26, 2013, 07:06:48 PM »
I think it's very do-able and a very good idea.  :thumbup:
I love it when a Plan B comes together!
Steve
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sDubB0-REg

Offline spuddevans

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Re: 2 maybe 3 birds 1 stone?
« Reply #2 on: September 27, 2013, 03:43:32 AM »
I maybe not fully understanding your plan, but the only thing I would be worried about would be the danger of Carbon Monoxide from the burning fuel. I'd make sure you have one of those carbon monoxide alarms  :thumbup:

Tim
Measure with a micrometer, mark with chalk, cut with an axe  -  MI0TME

Offline vtsteam

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Re: 2 maybe 3 birds 1 stone?
« Reply #3 on: September 27, 2013, 07:57:33 AM »
I hadn't paid close attention to the method, just the general idea of a 3 purpose furnace. Air entry must be isolated from exhaust. One solution is to draw the air through pipes into the shop -- a simple heat exchanger.

Another possibility is to route a metal chimney through the interior and back out.

In one of my sheds, made of concrete block, I have a Listeroid diesel generator outside, with its exhaust pipe routed through the shop and back out. Its cooling water and radiator are also located in the shop. The radator is an auto radiator and angled in  two planes to allow convective circulation by both the coolant and air inside the shop. A carbon monoxide alarm is mandatory in  that kind of setup.
I love it when a Plan B comes together!
Steve
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sDubB0-REg

Offline shipto

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Re: 2 maybe 3 birds 1 stone?
« Reply #4 on: September 27, 2013, 10:39:32 AM »
The plan is to have the air thats drawn into the workshop will only be drawn through the holes in the bricks. Once they have been put in place I will render it with a fire cement mix thus sealing them off from the exhaust fumes. If I get time this weekend I will post a plan up.

oh and i thought of another possible use BBQ  :)
Turns out this life c**p is just one big distraction from death but a good one. For the love of god dont give yourself time to think.
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Offline vtsteam

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Re: 2 maybe 3 birds 1 stone?
« Reply #5 on: September 27, 2013, 12:54:45 PM »
Stewart Marshall shows a combination BBQ forge and foundry furnace in his book on cupolas. I think I might have posted a pic of that somewhere here on the forum a ways back. Always liked that one.

Might as well make it a pizza oven too!
I love it when a Plan B comes together!
Steve
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sDubB0-REg

Offline shipto

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Re: 2 maybe 3 birds 1 stone?
« Reply #6 on: September 27, 2013, 06:44:15 PM »
Stewart Marshall shows a combination BBQ forge and foundry furnace in his book on cupolas. I think I might have posted a pic of that somewhere here on the forum a ways back. Always liked that one.

Might as well make it a pizza oven too!
Now your just being silly  :lol: :lol: :lol:
Turns out this life c**p is just one big distraction from death but a good one. For the love of god dont give yourself time to think.
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Offline mattinker

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Re: 2 maybe 3 birds 1 stone?
« Reply #7 on: September 28, 2013, 05:59:20 AM »
Sorry mate, forges barbecues are great just clean well if you use coal!! My winter barbecue parties in the forge are extremely popular!

So there!

Regards, Matthew

Offline loply

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Re: 2 maybe 3 birds 1 stone?
« Reply #8 on: September 29, 2013, 04:38:12 AM »
I would draw your hot air for the heater through a solid tube like a boiler flue pipe, no way do you want to risk filling your workshop with combustion by-products.

Just run the tube laterally through the fire and then pipe it off into the shop, ensuring it's "intake" is far from the fumes.

If you made the fan reversible you could use it as a fume extractor for welding fumes etc?

Offline shipto

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Re: 2 maybe 3 birds 1 stone?
« Reply #9 on: October 03, 2013, 05:03:09 PM »
I did think of that origionally loply and I may still do it. the reason for the bricks was that they will hold the heat longer after the fire dies down but i agree that the risk of carbon monoxide getting into the workshop may be greater just using bricks and render.
Turns out this life c**p is just one big distraction from death but a good one. For the love of god dont give yourself time to think.
https://myshedblog.wordpress.com/