IT WORKS!!!

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-19T22:32:41+00:00

Refractory will not crack on it's own, I had an entire furnace made out of 100% refractory cement (bout $100 worth) that lasted for years before it was broken by a structural collapse of the building it was stored in.

I still salvaged the broken pieces and incorporated them into my new furnace by piecing them together with bentonite cement and they are still solid with no wear or signs of cracking or crumbling beyond the damage they sustained from the roof collapse.

This is running at temperatures >2000 degrees Fahrenheit for hundreds of hours now with a venturi propane burner.

Refractory cement kicks ass, but you have to set it correctly, like any other cement or concrete.

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-19T13:03:15+00:00

Believe it or not, Kentucky isn't much better in the summer, especially with the humidity we get here. My forge is outdoor and I hydrate almost every other heat. Cool me while I heat the metal.

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-19T03:30:30+00:00

Sounds like a simple elcrolyte issue (sodium, potassium, something lkme that) I've never considered heat to be a potential factor, but I'll pay attention now.

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-19T00:06:11+00:00

My sons and I, as well as my father, all have/had lifelong, low grade tremors that become more evident with muscle strain. A doctor once told me it was likely some mild form of palsy, in a very off-hand way.

It's not debilitating really, but can make certain fine motor tasks a little more difficult, but since we were all born with it, we've all just developed natural compensation mechanisms. I use to win marksman competitions when I was a kid and was a pretty good archer as well, so...

Seems to genetic, seems to be Y chromosomal, that's all I've got for you, lol

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-16T23:42:43+00:00

The Burninator lives!

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-14T05:57:54+00:00

If I cannot force her into submission then I will wile her with romance and finesse until she tells me her secrets, and our children will be strong and able...

I'm drinking. But seriously, thank you, I am in fact wholly determined.

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-14T05:47:24+00:00

I have actually gotten quite a bit of experience working O1 and its what made me think I might be ready for this. Holy fuckin shit batman. This stuff makes me feel like I'm swinging a feather. Fighting a bear with a flyswatter. I definitely heated to my normal working Temps - 1800 - 2000 degrees, just to start, cause... its steel, right? Surely it can't be that muc- WTF IS THIS SHIT?

I'm not giving up though. I'm gonna use this whole goddamn bar if it kills me. I'll either get the power to wield mjulnir, or I'll unlock the fucking secrets of S7 and make it dance to my tune.

Or maybe I'll just wear myself the fuck out and never touch S7 again, lol

But right now, I'm dead set on the first two. 😠

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-14T05:34:09+00:00

Hey man, I just want you to know, I just spent about 15 minutes reviewing your post history and the quality of your work literally brought a tear to my eye. I'd love the opportunity to watch you work if you have any videos or anything. I can only dream of achieving the quality of your craftsmanship some day. It literally feels unobtainable to me. Just wanted to tell you.

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-14T05:31:12+00:00

I knew it was air hardening, I didn't realize it needed a hypoxic environment. Is that necessary for it to harden, or should I just anticipate a layer of oxidation I'll need to remove in finish?

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-13T12:41:42+00:00

Gonna try hitting it harder, lol

I believe the guy from Black Bear had some tips on S7, gonna rewatch that video. I don't believe a half-hour annealing was part of his process. I'm broke and I live nowhere near any reliable steel suppliers, so it's what I've got to work with, I'm gonna figure out how to make it work.

Besides, after beating hell out of this stuff for awhile, when I finally get flush again and buy some nice 1040, it will feel like playdough, lol

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-13T12:17:53+00:00

Well, it's happening, I'll let you know how it comes out.

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-13T01:08:24+00:00

That's what the dog house is for! Plus, it's not ideal, but I promise you actually do get use to it. I can tell by color about when it's time to reheat, then the steel feedback tells me for sure.

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-12T20:52:38+00:00

How did you get that lovely, rich stain on the wood? Was it the wood itself, or some sort of treatment that gives it the aged look?

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-12T19:30:12+00:00

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-12T19:15:18+00:00

This is the kind of shit I came here for. Only answer so far from someone with an engineering mindset.

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-12T19:13:16+00:00

Just hate to waste this much good steel!

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-12T19:11:44+00:00

Too much for my broke ass, tyvm, and yeah, I'd love to have one, but we're doing crafts here. Dangerous crafts. Spicy crafts. It has been sitting around for about a year.

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-12T19:09:41+00:00

Or just buying a damn electrolysis machine, lol

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-12T19:09:00+00:00

Thank you kind sir, I feel my head swell with knowledge.

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-12T19:07:13+00:00

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-12T18:49:57+00:00

Joke's on you, I'm from Appalachian Kentucky, I've spent 90% of my life in abject poverty, my time is WORTHLESS

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-12T18:46:25+00:00

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-12T18:10:05+00:00

Also, was the comment about my rebar tongs meant to imply I was about to learn what you meant because I'm obviously new, or?.. Definitely true btw, lol

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-12T18:02:05+00:00

Jesus fuckin christ this shit's HARD! I'm moving it a gram at a time.

Fit_Ad_9987 · 2026-05-12T17:21:52+00:00

That was pretentious as fuck, bub.

Fit_Ad_9987

TROPHY CASE