I am looking to maybe purches a propane forge.  i know lin likes the lil johny forge and i do to that thing looks amazing and simple but i dont think i can afford it so im looking for a little cheaper one or maybe if somebody has plans to build one for less and that works good id be interested in that. cuz we all know he who likes to build bows and knives likes to build all things.

I don't know if this would be one that meets your needs but it's simple to make and it sure meets my needs and brings my blades up to critical temp pretty darn quick.
All ya gotta do is get yourself a refractory fire brick (the soft kind) (you can google it and order on line) and drill it all the way through length wise and waller it out to around an 1"-1/2 wide by 3" vertically  then drill a hole in the side about midway just big enough for your torch tip to fit through and there ya have a forge.
I used one like that for awhile and then decided to buid a stand for it and thats what I'm still using today all you need is enough scrap steel to encase your brick with kinda like a little stove and I just used a few rail road spikes for the legs, heres a pic.....
Hope you find this helpful and look'n forward to seeing what ya come with.
     

I have to build one of those things.Ruined to many of my wifes hair dryers.What kind of torch do you use.And do you point the torch away from the blade so the heat rolls in the forge or point it right at the blade.

This one I picked up a while back. 8 X 8 X 12
 I love it.

Jerold, depending on how much you plan to invest, here are some choices.
I have have the Habanero forge and love it!

http://www.chileforge.com/forges_tabasco_details.html

http://elliscustomknifeworks.hightemptools.com/forges.html

Steve
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Potomac Forge

Lin, I have a question, on  the lil johnny, with the flame being directly over the blade does the blade/stock get hotter in the center of the blade then the ends? the one that i have is like Karls where the flame comes in the bottom and the blade is up above. im sure it works fine or you would have not bought one. just a question.
Im think of making one for my self.
Thanks Dana

Yes it does Dana, but you control that by letting the chamber get hot and reduce the flame a little till there's no hot spot. Notice the blower is the size of a tea cup and is rated at 12 cfm. That aint much air, and it's on a variable controller at that. This thing just need a little flow to make it gin right.

lin what does a lil johny forge cost? and i seen several on fleabay but i just wanna make sure  i dont invest in a pile of junk that either does not work right or breaks right after i get it

PM sent Jerold

Thanks Lin, I knew you would have the answer. where can i find a small blower? the one i have is a 90 cfm with a gate valve.
Dana

Dana, this one is a Dayton blower, but I dont know where he buys them. I have bought some off the auction site. You might check with an HVAC guy. Sometimes you can get one for nothing.

Thanks Lin