DIY Forge Burner: Complete Parts List & Build Guide

Building your own forge burner is a rite of passage for many blacksmiths. It’s a great way to understand the mechanics of combustion and save a few bucks in the process. However, a word of warning: Unless you already have most of these parts in your junk drawer, it is often cheaper and safer to buy a pre-built burner.

If you’re dead-set on the DIY path, here is the exact manifest I used for my “Venting” style burner.

The DIY Parts Manifest

Core Plumbing

• 1-1/4” Coupling: The main air intake body.
• 1-1/4” x 3/4” Bushing: Connects the intake to the tube.
• 3/4” x 9” Nipple: The main burner tube.
• 1-1/2” x 3/4” Reducer: Acts as the “flare” at the end of the burner.

Gas Injection

• .023” MIG Tip: The tiny orifice that injects the propane.
• 1/8” Brass “T”: Connects your gas line to the MIG tip assembly.
• 1/8” x 3” Lamp Nipple: Used to center the MIG tip in the air stream.
• 1/4” Ball Valve: Your emergency and fine-tune gas shutoff.

The “Better” Option (Recommended)

If you value your time (and your eyebrows), I highly recommend this pre-built unit. It’s what I use in my secondary forge and it has never let me down.

Essential Tools for the Build

You can’t just slap this together with a pair of pliers. You’ll need:

• M6 Tap & 5mm Drill Bit: For threading the MIG tip assembly.
• 1/8” NPT Tap: For the brass fittings.
• JB KwikWeld: To seal the MIG tip into the lamp nipple.
• High-Temp Gas Tape: Use ONLY the yellow tape rated for gas. Never use white Teflon tape on gas lines.

Assembly Logic

The goal is to create a Venturi effect. The high-pressure propane shooting through the tiny .023” hole creates a vacuum that pulls in air through the 1-1/4” coupling.

1. Centering is Key: The MIG tip must be perfectly centered in the 3/4” tube. If it’s off-center, your flame will be “lopsided” and inefficient.
2. The Flare: The reducer at the end allows the gas to expand slightly, which helps stabilize the flame and prevents it from “blowing out.”

Building your own Forge?