If i build a horizontal forced air forge thats lined only with soft bricks and has a chamber size of 4.5x4.5x12 inches will it work to coat the bricks with satanite and then itc-100? and if it will stick to the bricks will i get much of a benifit from doing so? and if i ever try to weld how well will my forge hold up to the flux? so many things i know nothing about. this high temp stuff can be pretty tricky i know that much.
I would put a line of hard brick in the bottom of the forge. Satanite can actually slow down forge heating due to its mass. Keep the Satanite under 1/4 inch thick. The ITC coating will help with achieving forging heats. Soft fire bricks melt when flux hits them. The ITC coating helps slow
This down.
so would inswool work better than the fire bricks? the style of burner i have is really simualar to the one on the lil johny forge. i just want the most bang for my buck.
Not certain insowool would be better than brick, but I have 1" Kaowool with refractory cement over that, then ITC 100. At the bottom I have thin fire bricks so it's level. Works well for me. My guess is if your burner is good and you have sufficient refractory capabilities regardless of the material, you'll get steel hot. Might take more or less time depending on a few factors, but you'll still be having fun :) . Good luck.
Jeremy
Insuwool and soft firebrick will both shrivel under flux in a forge. Hard firebrick is not hard to find. Any refractory or kiln supply shop has it in stock. You can use the soft brick or insuwool but you will be relining the bottom of the forge a lot.