It doesn’t look like much, but this easy to build propane forge is just what you need to try your hand at blacksmithing. [Code Cowboy] handled the build after viewing this how-to video which shows the fabrication of a small knife after completing the forge build.
The first step is to eat all of the soup (or beans if you prefer). With an empty can in hand the stand — made of two angle brackets — and inlet are attached. next comes the heat proofing for the walls of the forge. At first glance we thought that cat litter was one of the ingredients, but that’s just an empty container used to haul playground sand. The sand is mixed with equal parts of plaster of paris before adding water to achieve a clay-like consistency. This is packed into the can, with a small opening to receive the metal to be heated.
The torch itself can be used to remedy the heat shield. After letting the mixture harden a 30 minute burn will force the rest of the water out of the heat proofing.
[via Reddit]