Can You Hold a Forge in Your Bare Hands?

In this video I perform a quick test of my coffee can forge using an insulating liner made from baking ingredients. Check out how I made this forge here: • How to Make a "Cookie ...
Thank you very much to all of my Patreon supporters who have contributed to help me create videos like this one. A special thanks to my top Patrons: Enzo Breda Lee, Jon Hartmann, TheBackyardScientist & Eugene Pakhomov! / nighthawkprojects
Thanks for watching!
-Ben

[@jasonssavitt5297]

Let's not call it (imitation StarLite) personally id call it HawkLite, because it's a unique creation and you are actually showing how it's made and it's properties.

[@thedude1368]

Orr.... NightHawkInLite? Amirite?

[@jasonssavitt5297]

@@thedude1368 I almost put that but it felt like too much of a mouthful. But by the gods old and new, yes you are right.

[@Corbald]

@@jasonssavitt5297 HawkInLite?

[@ender_scythe2879]

KnightLite

[@HaloWolf102]

I second the HawkinLite name.

[@glennpitcairn]

All of your videos make me want run out to the hardware store and start a new project. They are so unique and you make it so easy to replicate at home that I end up learning so much more than I normally would. Thank you for sharing your awesome projects and for having the utmost integrity.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Thank you very much for the kind words

[@aether222]

@@Nighthawkinlight BTW I am pretty sure that if you had put cookie/starlite around the rim it would have taken an extra minute or 2 to heat up! I think this would be worth a redo. Also makes me wonder, if you had some Nichrome wire in a cookie enclosure how how it would get!

[@Eden-NoEye]

What a great purpose for this material, I used to think "Cool thing but how would I use this insulating dough?" but this really is an awesome and inexpensive way to build a forge.

[@stevedesrosiers5111]

great substitute for standard fire brick..... iv'e tried it and it's great, it lasts a good amount of time, not a great amount of time but is very easy to replace and doesn't crack or break..... it's worth a try for sure!

[@rtufik]

​@@stevedesrosiers5111 And what about useful life? Have you done any tests? I want to set up an oven and use it as a midle insulation, but I'm afraid it can't stand successive burning, or decompose quickly

[@PhantomPanic]

1:04 Thank you for clearing that up beforehand because 95% of the comments would have been about you staring at the camera. 🤣

[@PhantomPanic]

@@SuperSulc LOL I know the one.

[@hnnnggh]

internet eye contact

[@peterinbrat]

We went to the Corning museum 50 years ago when I was 7. They had a wonderful demonstration of fiber glass where they put a popcicle inside and envelope of fiberglass then put a raw biscuit on top. It went into an oven at the start of the ten minute talk and at the end they pulled it out with a baked biscuit and the still frozen popcicle.

[@stevedesrosiers5111]

damn that sounds like it was a neat demonstration to witness.....

[@christopherking2128]

It was Cool

[@johnsaucerhunter]

I think this was a wonderful demonstration. Well Done!

[@Aquapod9]

Nice TMBH hat! Good to see another fan around. -Matt's Mom

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

You’re the best moms. Thanks.

[@zachell1991]

@@MattWhitmanTMBH She's really a fantastic lady.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Internet high five from one not-scalded hand to another! The hat suits you!

[@vennic]

Is this the part where someone is supposed to say colab?

[@namvu2362]

@@vennicthe collab I never thought I needed

[@grantmccollum4499]

@the ten minute bible hour I never knew about your channel until reading the comments from this video from one of my favorite KZbinrs. I checked out your channel and it’s really good.

[@BillFromTheHill100]

A helmut would be better.

[@potayto-potahto881]

I thought I recognized that logo from somewhere...

[@russtuff]

Keep it up! I showed this forge (from your video the other day) to my kid after you posted your video, we built it the next day, and we're waiting for it to dry for a firing this weekend :)

[@stevedesrosiers5111]

as a (hobby) blacksmith/bladesmith i must know.... how well did it work?

[@russtuff]

@@stevedesrosiers5111 Well, I destroyed it. We were having trouble getting it hot enough to melt aluminum, so I began adding a small amount of extra air from my air compressor. The next thing you know, the temperature got away from me and we melted through the side of the can 😬

[@Rippertear]

"Can you hold a forge in your bare hands?" Showing a picture of him holding a forge in his bare hand. Guess so, huh?

[@gummybread]

“Please forgive me if it seems like I stare at the camera a bit” Iv subscribed for bird, camera staring, and interesting science, in that descending order.

[@seanhampson4126]

This is super impressive, thank you for making such accessible and simply built projects!

[@8Distraction]

Nice hat!! I love TMBH!

[@Julian-wp8sc]

always loved your videos as a kid and rediscovered your content just a little while ago. you’ve been a huge inspiration to my love for building things. thank you for never giving up

[@klausnielsen1537]

Great demo. And I still maintain that you have some of the most novel and interesting subjects covered on your channel. They are all presented very well and professionally while maintaining the "simplicity" (for a lack of a better word) of presentation and demonstration that makes places like KZbin special to us viewers. TY for sharing and keep those ideas and thoughts coming.

[@YoutubeCommenter1]

Just found this channel again. I remember watching it 9 years ago. Incredible its still around

[@andrebartels1690]

I like each and every one of your videos, because you have a very nice way of presentation. You take care to avoid misunderstandings, you are calm, friendly, on-point, relatable, you appear to be really interested in what you do. Your channel should be so big 👍

[@NotQuiteFirst]

This channel is great, and this guy seems so friendly.

[@alzakariah]

Awesome video.. always. Keep it up!!

[@vaishalipatil712]

VERY NICE INSULATION👍👍

[@drmarine1771]

Great effort.

[@fatal510]

I actually went out after you last video, and made one of these coffee can forges. I am making a simple knife now. I was able to get the knife profile roughly shaped, but since i don't own a belt grinder I have been hand filing for the past few days to clean it up and make the bevel.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

If you take a video of your forge in use or your knife send me a link! I'd like to add it to the video response playlist on my channel

[@stevedesrosiers5111]

right on!

[@vlabislav1]

I think the can was heated from the edge where the heat came out and spread so that you can safely multiply the result by 2 or 3) and what if you take the egg and icing it

[@TheCinderfang]

Insulating the intake as well would be wise

[@MusicEffekt]

Another reason for the metal piece not reaching a forging temp was the can's cap was open. Great job.

[@twocvbloke]

I never did do anything with that mini-keg I thought of trying out with the portable stove idea, but this coupled with that could make for a useful mini-keg stove lining to make the keg metal last longer... :D

[@falxie_]

That's really cool!

[@goggit4708]

Dude I've been watching your videos for a long time now. Always loved the experiments and things that you build. I had an idea to make this forge potentially more insulating. If you had to line the outside with the Starlite, and then cover it with a custom made metal can (bend sheets of this metal) This would insulate the heat a little bit more, and you could then attach a "hinge" system to close the open end of the coffee can, and wenld on some legs to make it look a little more like a big boy forge. Just thought I'd put this idea out there if you would like to try make some potential improvements🙏🏼 Keep at it with the content, loving it!❤

[@zacktoor1591]

Great video... also, I appreciated having you stare into my soul.

[@samdowdall5232]

That's confidence in your version of starlite, I'm really excited to see further applications and to try a few solutions myself.

[@samdowdall5232]

also if it was in a more permanent casing would it be easy to replace the Starbright (thats the new name I have coined for your compound haha) , Can it be scraped out easily for a replacement fit?

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Yes you can knock out the coffee can easily to replace the lining

[@SaucemanSauceman]

This is cool!

[@willcool713]

A forge is a great proof of concept for your DIY Starlite. How about some other potential uses? How does it do for keeping heat out? Could you make a fire safe? Could you line an entire panic room? What about wearable plates to create fireproof armoring? Can you make it flexible and permeate clothing, for fireman, say? Just a few notions I wish I had the wherewithal to test. Great idea, though, your recipe. Already memorized and filed in my noggin.

[@willcool713]

Y'know, for that matter, once there's a foam component to the surface, it might make a good refrigeration insulator, too. Probably would not work just as the dough, though, would be my guess, not for an icebox. It's the foam surface that acts like a blackbody, endlessly absorbing the IR.

[@stevedesrosiers5111]

@@willcool713 you make some damn good points.... if the substance works that well a person would really have to think that the applications of it should be almost limitless right?

[@willcool713]

@@stevedesrosiers5111 Maybe. Just because it can stand, say, the fires of hell, doesn't mean it won't transmit too much heat, proportionately, to be a good cold insulator and keep you warm in a blizzard. Styrofoam, for instance, holds heat in really well, at cold temperatures, but fails instantly once you reach it's melting point. This material could shatter, for instance, at low temps, as it does contain water. The blackbody effect of the carbonized foam surface shows extremely high potential for absorbtion, but one consideration is that it might also only have best effect in one direction. I am unclear if the IR radiation coming off a cooling chunk of this material naturally radiates in waves or discreet photons. If the material cools statistically, not in discreet quanta, then the waves could bypass the blackbody effect entirely. That possibility is slim, at best, (though precise calculations would have some such slight effect regardless) and yet discovery of a textile which could act as a heat pump would have enormous possibilities: house paint that acted as air conditioning, self-heating clothes, electricity production that also created cooling. So much potential. But probably it could make a decent insulator. Start there. Put some paper in a box, insulate it, put that in another box with a layer of insulation, build a bonfire over it and see if the paper inside turns to charcoal.

[@stevedesrosiers5111]

@@willcool713 thanks for the reply bud! But seeing as I work in a chemical plant I'll probably try vm&p naphtha mixed with diesel fuel and sodium nitrate as the heat source, but you did give me some really good ideas and information... thankyou!

[@willcool713]

@@stevedesrosiers5111 Yeah? If you do, lemme know how it works. I haven't really got the space to try much myself. The whole carbon foam thing has so much potential.

[@farmerscommander2226]

Outstanding! Love it. I am very interested if there is a material that keeps temperature and can use for fish tank. I searched for awhile no luck or don't know where to start. Thanks

[@briansegarra9312]

awesome video next test would be how many firings the forge lining(starlite mix) last

[@mikebeatstsb7030]

Mr Hawk... I must say... You are just THE BEST ❕❗ 👌🏼 SO CLEVER, AND LOGICAL and such a use to be around. I wish you were more like me..! Or... That I was the same as you is probably a better way of saying that 😉👌🏼

[@ethanmye-rs]

This is an easy way to have a reducing atmosphere -- perhaps you can try adding some steel to case harden?

[@yoyofargo]

I still wonder if this could scale to a trash can or if you'd need to staple thru it to prevent the foam from flaking off. I don't have the camera equipment for it, but it would be cool to see a potter test it out on some low investment raku pieces. With a lining like that obviously oxidation firing is out of the question, but reduction is so common that it could still be incredibly valuable. I feel like it's something Simon Leech would do on his channel lol.

[@CavemanAston]

Great video. I find this substance really interesting having built a furnce myself. I am curious how much of the heat may have been collected from the open end and conducted down the metal container rather than transferring through the "Starlite" type material.

[@Estabanwatersaz]

Good work great 👍

[@christhebirb]

Awesome! All that's left is figuring out a way to wear it.

[@Scott_C]

Do you think you could liquify the recipe maybe go back and add the white school glue from before (so it will stick to the cloth) then soak a fabric in it?

[@christhebirb]

@@Scott_C That might work, but for soaking fabrics, I'd use a more liquid binder.

[@xMrjamjam]

This was a pretty good test considering the blowtorch wasn't pointed at the piece of steel you wanted to heat, I can't do blacksmithing where I live as its a residential area but this starlite lined forge gives me an idea to make a portable forge so I can cycle to an unpopulated area and do my forging without disturbing anyone. Never built a propane forge before so I'll give it a go

[@zachell1991]

Awesome TMBH hat.

[@ethanhenneberry2625]

Love ur vids, been watching since the “mini cannon” video I just watched your box fan mosquito video and was wondering if you still have your old IDI Ford diesel, if so pleas make a short vid showing it off I love those trucks. They certainly aren’t the fastest but I think many people appreciate the simplicity, reliability, and beauty of these trucks.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Had to part with that truck a few years ago unfortunately. Still running fine on a farm near me.

[@ethanhenneberry2625]

NightHawkInLight ah that’s too bad, glad to hear she’s still running though

[@neuroblossom]

love your work. do you think could hawklite be used as a housing insulation?

[@vestorfo9198]

I usually hold a forge using my Bear hands

[@danbhakta]

Bears have paws.

[@bastienguilbaud5768]

I know a guy who does the joke all the time so I took habit of saying "with my human hands" and when I see someone looking confused I add " I don't have Bear hands"

[@motobacktoconstitution4138]

Night hark thank you so practical messages and your so awesom amazing videos can you please do bendini motor or over unity staff please.

[@oddjobbob8742]

Great series. Thank you. You always inspire. Are you sure you’re not Wesley Crusher’s big brother? Or older cousin?

[@bethelgues3918]

Hmmm I want to make a version of my own using pure borax or maybe fiberglass reinforce it. Another thought that came to mind was to use pearlite in order to make it a bit more insulative. Maybe a combination could be used to make a stronger and more durable foam tile (carbon firebrick). The idea here is to make t he end product (after first firing) more durable. So the idea is to use mix pearlite with the ingrediants carefully with powder mix, they slowly add water (careful to not have the pearlite float up). I actually found a tutorial on making your own firebricks with peralite and refractory cement. Here you could probably create a black brick. This could be a good way to make "greener" firebricks. I'll keep you update with my experiments if you want. .

[@DeDraconis]

I enjoyed your demonstration, but as a Safety Sally one small suggestion. You could have set the forge up in a stable rig and rested your hand on top of it or beside it rather than actually holding it aloft, and you would have demonstrated the same thing in regards to external temperature.

[@jamesbrown99991]

He could have just attached a thermometer probe to the outside of the can, thus not needing to touch it at all, Sally.

[@DeDraconis]

@@jamesbrown99991 That's true, and that would be safer still if he just wanted to show us how hot the outside got. I'll admit that demonstrating its effectiveness with a bare hand still has value (even if it's shock value) - but when you do that, the heat alone is risk enough. Risking dropping it from fatigue (mental or physical) and dropping hot metal out, knocking the torch into any direction, or maybe even cracking the starlite and having hot fragments of it drop around you / onto you is another level.

[@edgotbait]

I have some of the items needed to build this Just ordered the rest from Walmart on my next food order will let you know how it goes

[@x9x9x9x9x9]

I think the edge of the can getting hit by the flame leaving is whats heating it mostly and not so much the fire inside if that makes any sense. So it you were to angle the can up and have less fire hitting the open edge it would probably heat even slower. Or just coat that with the stuff as well.

[@dwaynewladyka577]

Very interesting material. It has practical purposes. A great looking forge. I have a request for an experiment. What would happen if you used strong glue and glued 2 permanent magnets with the like poles (north and north, or south and south), touching each other? What would it do to the magnets, if you left it like that for a day? Cheers!

[@sgibbons77]

If I ever get a chance to help colonize Mars I hope that you or someone exactly like you is part of the same crew. The colony will need smart people who can think outside the box like you. In the meantime, I'll continue enjoying your wonderful videos.

[@MrSqu1nty]

"Hi. I'm going to hurt myself because I feel this is important. Don't be stupid with this information please, and have a safe day." I love that you did this, thank you.

[@stevedesrosiers5111]

hey bud, no idea how to send you a message that you will actually get to read but here goes..... my great uncle Charles McIntosh was one of the guys who designed the heat shielding for the apollo missions i still have his hand written formulas for ceramic heat shields, I've seen quite a few of your videos on how to make very effective heat shielding out of very basic easy to find ingredients and i really have to say..... great uncle charlie would be proud! PLEASE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

[@tahakhan88]

Sir you are crazy brilliant. I remember the Starlite type product you made and it blew my mind! I believe this is the same material?

[@tahakhan88]

I read the other comments after posting my comment. I love HawkLite!

[@motosport8851]

Thank you for the video and the information. I do have a question about the forge and the insulating part. Now that it has expanded and carboned over could you add another high temp resistant liner? Reason I am asking is, I am not sure if it would work the same if it was covered by another material that may last longer. Do you think it would have the same insulating properties (your mixture) if, it was covered by another insulating material that may not burn out as fast? My thinking is you could use your material for the bulk of the insulation then use a more expensive and durable material as the outer lining. That the flame would come into contact with. This would still lower the overall cost and provide a longer lasting forge.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Not sure. It would have to be something spray on.

[@motosport8851]

@@Nighthawkinlight Thank you for the additional information.

[@aarrodri]

In the rc and fpv drone hobby we use high capacity lipo batteries, which are very dangerous when damaged. People have burnedown their homes for not being cautious and for not having good container for storage and during charging. It's very common for people to use ammo cases while charging and/or storing. but the temperatures generated in case of an accident are still dangerous as the heat transfer to metal can still ignite the surroundings. And make it very dangerous to just grab and take outside during an accident. I'm wondering if lining the inside of an ammo elcase with this material will buy precious time to get the case out of the house in case of a failure. Is this moldable and strong to cost the case handle and safely carry outside? Do you think this might work? Not is the material too brittle ? Still need to figure out a way to filter the toxic fumes that an lipo ignition generates.

[@NastySasquatch]

How amazing that the more things look like magic the more likely they are to be possible.

[@stevedesrosiers5111]

all science is in essence is "applied magic"

[@NastySasquatch]

@@stevedesrosiers5111 reasons after learning philosophy and magic before getting my engineering degrees i call myself an applied metaphysical engineer.

[@stevedesrosiers5111]

@@NastySasquatch nicely done!

[@ModMax69]

Cool!

[@c.oyenarte]

New sub here!!! I wanna see and learn more!!!

[@cgapeart]

I do some backyard raku pottery firing - the target temperature is in the 1000F-1800F (~540C-1000C) and that usually takes about an hour to reach with a tiger torch on full blast, consuming 3-5 lbs of propane (ymmv). The kilns used have traditional soft firebrick or ceramic wool and can cost $100-300 every few years to fix up and replace the refractory. I was thinking about your comments on the black color radiation factor: Even if it ends up being a sacrificial coating that has to be renewed periodically, it's so cheap to make and only needs a trip to the grocery store instead of the specialty supplier that is only open during weekday business hours... This could be a very cheap and easy way increasing the efficiency of an existing kiln. I suppose the down side is that once it cools down and is put away in the garage, it may attract mice.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

I bought some refractory cement at the hardware store a while ago that's black. I thought that might be a good thing to smear over normal alumina fire bricks to increase that blackbody radiation. Could be another option for you

[@cgapeart]

@@Nighthawkinlight I have done the same thing. After a while, it flakes off - I don't think it is a good thermal "fit" for the bricks. Not a big deal for forging, but if the flakes fall on the pottery, they stick to the glaze and ruin it. Bits of carbon should just burn off if they seperate from the walls, and in Raku, you drop the red-hot pots into a pile of sawdust, leaves, paper, etc, and put a lid on it for reduction. A little more carbon won't hurt a thing.

[@hootiebubbabuddhabelly]

Brilliant! How much does your coffee can forge weigh?

[@macajr]

I see you wearing a TMBH cap! Noice!!

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Matt rocks

[@davisbacher1347]

I was gonna comment the same thing.

[@dimesonhiseyes9134]

I want a TMBH hat.

[@manicmaker52]

Sweet

[@matthewworkorr3827]

What about wrapping the outside with the cookie dough insulation to be able to hold it even longer? Also, I know you said that it doesn't perform well as an insulator until the carbon foam is generated, so does this mean that if you prime the cookie dough to create the foam that it could be used as a more general insulator, or does it only work with extreme heat differentials?

[@Fabian-mu3hq]

You should try making a sort of paint paste with this, just as you discribe in your original video, in order to fireproof a pice of wood

[@boogyman.9632]

Is there a possibility to use that starlite and make it conductive?

[@kylexy1988]

Could this be added to an existing forge lining without deleterious effects?

[@lucdrouin2625]

ITS TIME! ITS TIME! NIGHTHAWK FOLLOWERS WANT HIM TO SEND SOMETHING NOVEL INTO SPACE, VIDEO ENTIRE PROCESS AND THEN RETRIEVE IT FOR ANALYSIS!

[@eduardodiaz5459]

I want the most adiabatic material to make my own oven to bend and temper glass. Could you indicate me where can I begin to seach?

[@hyperhektor7733]

would be great if you would try to make the carbon last longer, maybe try blending pure fine clay (dry) in a blender to get powder and then apply this powder in the mix (some %) but most of if on outer layer of the putty

[@robinfielding9506]

I didn't try to hold mine but I did blow up cement with melted aluminum when it leaked from the mold

[@hanelyp1]

Thinking about Epson salt as an ingredient in this kind of material. Decomposes when heated to produce MgO (VERY refractory), and SO3 (potential gas for expanding foam, but needs ventilation). Combined with enough borax you might get a good oxygen barrier for longer material life in a flame. Also thinking whether spraying a solution of sugar, borax, and Epson salt on the charred surface between firings would improve material life. Maybe even develop a crude ceramic coating over the carbon foam insulation.

[@Anino_Makata]

Impressive, Ben. If I hadn't been curious about this material before, I certainly am now! Just one question: we've seen how well the insulation works for propane/gas forges, but what about a charcoal forge? I remember you mentioned that the carbon foam layer will only form when it reaches a certain temperature, but charcoal does have a degree of insulation which might inhibit the carbon. Would the layer need to be pre-fired before taking charcoal, or would it do fine without?

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Charcoal forges often don't even need a liner

[@QUIINCUNX]

Does the insulate cold stuff well? Because if so, putting it inside the walls of a thermos might keep ice for a while

[@thememegeneer5716]

Well, considering the thumbnail, i’d say yes

[@themadmaus6222]

Can you scale this up and use a bigger burner? I would love to see that and love your vids

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Maybe so!

[@anachronisticon]

Cheap fireplace liner/insert for more efficient combustion?

[@curtiswilson8402]

Can one build a kiln for cera.ics or metal clay?

[@DenkyManner]

"oh, my hand appears to be stuck"

[@BenMitro]

You sir are a genius... I know this isn't smoke and mirrors either!

[@PakleniVuk]

Next video : "Can you fly in to a Sun"

[@hanelyp1]

This material should protect very well from solar heat, briefly.

[@Serahpin]

Easy, just go at night.

[@geeksworkshop]

Why would want to apart from showing off! Top marks

[@yannisconstantinides7767]

Would stacking two cans together make the temperature hotter at the bottom?

[@wil7vin]

Dear Nighthawk, Could you experiment with this liner and a forge that the late KingofRandom has made. I saw a old video of him that the forge he build could be improved with steel wool and that it eventually will brake down. but I feel this liner is a worth while experiment to combine with his forge design.

[@ZooD333]

I wonder if this liner would be practical for insulating the inside of a cheap sheet metal pizza oven. Perhaps with a metal mesh to hold it up onto the walls after the first heat?

[@chainmaillekid]

Think there's a viable way to make it some sort of spray on coating? Could it be watered down and sprayed on as a slurry? Might not be that useful for making a full layer, but perhaps could be an easy way to refresh the lining.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Not this particular mix, but check my video about the history of Starlite toward the end. I talk about paint with similar properties that can be sprayed or applied with a brush.

[@JordanHaisley]

NightHawkInLight would coating this with diy water glass improve performance and long term stability?

[@DrJuice1]

I can bring this in to work and use it to heat up my lunch at my desk

[@jelteklaswijnja4055]

Note, that at only 44 celsius (109f) skin will get burned if exposure is prolonged. Before being too hot to handle, the outer shell will have reached just 20-30c over ambient temperature (assuming ambient is between 10 and 20c) Meanwhile, the inside of the forge got up to +- 650c (1200f) (what charts describe as "dull red"- under the video lights perhaps even hotter.) So that's quite the achievement for a bit of weirdly-formulated bread!

[@prattstick1519]

a starlite and aerogel mix would be crazy

[@AlexusMaximusDE]

I wonder if this can be applied to a burn barrel without falling off and if it would speed up the process.

[@subliminalvibes]

Dude, incredible experiment! I know you said it's reusable for multiple firings but would you get longer insulation time from fresh starlight, first firing? Keep up the great work. Thank you!

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Only because it would take longer for the forge to heat up

[@subliminalvibes]

@@Nighthawkinlight Ah, yes. Just delaying the inevitable. Thanks for the reply!

[@TealScarab]

Does it matter which type of fuel I use for this forge? I recall you recommended getting a Bernzomatic Ts8000 for this project in the last video, but would a propane torch suffice as well? I’d like to know if you’ve tried any other type of torch for this project.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

The ts8000 is a propane torch

[@4n2earth22]

(Next time his right hand is swathed in layers of SILVADENE Cream soaked bandages....) ;-) Seriously, tho, I am wondering if I could make bricks of that stuff that I could use to swap in as the lining got too cooked to be efficient.... or is it only slather on and use while it's wet?

[@Nighthawkinlight]

I made tiles with it two videos back. They work well

[@6thmonkey]

I wonder if you coat the carbon foam with some sort of ceramic to create a more permanent forge?

[@justinw1765]

Sodium silicate/waterglass?

[@handy-capoutdoors4063]

Curious how well this material has held up over the 2 years this video has been up? Have you done any rapid cooling and heating tests suchlike a space capsule would go through being in space and then going through reentry? Can it be molded onto a smooth surface and stick? Does drying out shrink it, cause it to loose its heat insulation properties or cause it to crack? I'm doing some amateur rocket science and studying hypersonic aerothermaldynamics to hopefully get a job in the aerospace industry as a reasercher. The concept of Starlite is fascinating to me.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

It didn't hold up over time because something in the material absorbs water from the air after the first time it's burned. The unburned tiles are still good, I have a few that I've kept since this video and they still work and are in the same condition.

[@quadritech]

Clearly once chard it has a high R value could you use it to make an insulated layer in like a cob house

[@Flederratte]

You really need a name for this material. This is your material now and not only an attempt to recreate someone elses stuff.

[@Scott_C]

HawkLite

[@Flederratte]

@@Scott_C I hope Ben tells us a name for his mixture in the next video. I would like the name HawkLite.

[@bryanrocker5033]

Pretty dam good, should have placed a temp sensor on the outside to see what it reached.

[@Allenw154]

Man I wish I had seen this video before making my foundry with firebrick. Would have been way cheaper, easier and lighter. A few coats of this, and refractory cement on top would be perfect,