Okay, so the other day I got this idea to build a small forge in my backyard. Nothing fancy, just something I could use for some basic metalworking. The biggest challenge was finding a material that could handle the heat. That’s when I stumbled upon this thing called 3000 degree castable refractory cement.
First off, I did some digging around to see what this stuff even was. Turns out, it’s like regular cement, but it can withstand crazy high temperatures, up to 3000 degrees Fahrenheit! Perfect for a forge, right? I found a supplier online, and ordered a bag.
When the cement arrived, I cleared out a spot in my backyard. I decided to build a simple cylindrical forge. I grabbed an old metal bucket to use as the outer form and a smaller one for the inner form, leaving about a 3-inch gap for the cement.
Mixing this stuff was a bit of a learning curve. It’s way thicker than regular cement. I added water slowly, mixing it with a trowel until it had a thick, almost clay-like consistency. It was important not to add too much water, or it wouldn’t set properly.
Then came the fun part – pouring! I started filling the gap between the two buckets with the cement, making sure to pack it down tightly. I used a stick to poke around and get rid of any air pockets. It was a bit messy, but hey, that’s part of the fun, right?
- After filling the form, I leveled off the top and let it sit. The instructions said it needed to cure for at least 24 hours, so I just left it alone.
- The next day, I carefully removed the forms. There it was, my very own homemade forge! It looked a bit rough around the edges, but it felt solid.
- I let it cure for a few more days, just to be safe. I also drilled a hole in the side for the burner.
Finally, it was time to test it out. I hooked up a propane burner, fired it up, and tossed in some scrap metal. It took a while to heat up, but once it did, man, it was hot! The metal started glowing red, and I was able to shape it with some basic tools.
It wasn’t perfect, but it worked! I was pretty stoked that I managed to build a working forge with this 3000 degree castable refractory cement. It’s a really cool material, and I’m already thinking about what else I can use it for. Maybe a pizza oven next? Who knows!
