Gnarly hearth

[Gareth J]

I kept the guts of an old gas fireplace a couple years ago with the idea it might make a small gas forge/hearth.

Finally mocked it up this evening and it looks promising, unfortunately I binned the original thermal blocks so I'll have to get some fire board stuff for the insides but other than that and something to prop it up a bit better, it should be good. Comes with 3 settings and eventually I'll put it on its own propane supply so I can oxy-propane braze with the part ticking over in the hearth at the same time. A front door would drastically improve efficiency too.

I have just been heating stuff in air with oxy-propane before which is fine for the odd stuck bolt or small thing but stupid for doing anything bigger especially as the oxygen is precious.

 

[Gareth J]

Much better with some insulation and legs. Needed to use it today too. That's on minimum setting, I just needed to keep the bits if bar ticking over. Still need to find a front - that was the last of my fireboard.

They're the sort of thing you find skipped/freecycled as folk renovate houses.