Subject: Re[2]: blacksmithing

From: [email-masked]
Date: Thu, 21 Mar 1996 09:31 -0500 (EST)

A torch blows gaseous fuel through air, obtains a mixture and ignites it.  A 
blowpipe blows air through a "rich" (somewhat oxygen-deficient) flame.  The 
result is similar, qualitatively.  

Ever pile the coal high on the forge, get a nice heat below, then punch a hole 
straight to the tuyere and pump hard?  There's a "blow pipe" any blacksmith 
could use any time he wanted.  Works well for heating sheet metal or fine parts.
I don't know whether it has any other practical uses.

Bruce

______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: blacksmithing
Author:  [email-masked] at GATEWAY
Date:    96/03/21 6:40 AM

Be careful now! I didn't want to imply that torches were used on iron work.
But just along the same line as you mentioned in a previous post, you can
use the modern version:

Has anyone ever tried using a blowpipe in a forge, just as an academic
exercise? In principle it should work, blowing in more air in the reducing
area of the fire. If it's useful is a totally different question...

Ralph Snel
[email-masked]
Sweden