Mr. Volcano Hero 2 Forge Review

[@stevenstarlin]

I just got my first round of refractory set in mine last night. Thanks for doing these talks and tests! I find them incredibly helpful!

[@1noryb]

Thanks Roy, great build review! I hadn't thought about the chimney effect on an unused burner - explains my need to rebuild one valve many times more often than the other. As impressed as I am with my diy build I am realizing it has many costly shortcomings and a new forge will be in order soon.

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Glad you enjoyed the video good Sir 👍

[@jerrodlopes186]

Just ordered one today. I was going to build one, but for the price it just can't be beaten.

[@wayneheitz8390]

Like Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, Roy was tricked into assembling Thomas's forge. Well done Thomas. 🤣🤣🤣

[@thomasgoodemoot]

Momma didn't raise no dummy lol thank you Roy for putting it together and making a great video

[@fredfchopin]

I was also skeptical about the superwool xtra so I went to the manufacturer's website and they have a lot more information about it. They published a case study in 2017 and at that time, it looks like they were claiming that they'd had more than 4 years in development which would put the start of this process at more like 2013, so I believe that it is an accurate statement to say that this material has been in development and use for almost 10 years as of the time I'm writing this comment although it has only been a few months that Mr Volcano forges specifically have been using it in their kits (based on the evidence that I'm able to gather; it could be longer but this is the best that I can find). The only caveat I have is that this seems to have been produced in Europe and most of the regulations they cite are European, so I'm far from an expert on these regulations and I don't know how they compare to US regulations. What is clear to me though is that this wasn't just something developed solely for Mr Volcano forges (although they very well may be the first forge kit to use Superwool xtra; I'm unable to substantiate that claim but I've also found no evidence against that claim either). This seems to be a material that Morgan Advance Materials developed specifically due to the fact that other similar materials are so dangerous, and they wanted to create something with similar thermal properties that was much safer. You can read the case study here: www.morganthermalceramics.com/media/4954/editorial_a-new-nonregulated-fibre-for-use-in-iron-and-steel-as-1430c-rcf-sub.pdf and the manufacturer's website information is here: www.morganthermalceramics.com/en-gb/news-events/superwool-xtra-fibre-portfolio-new-products/ It looks like Morgan specifically went through the European regulatory process to have this new material exonerated from classification, which means that they must have proved to some regulatory agency that this material does not need to be classified as an RCF because it doesn't have any of the risk factors over prolonged usage that is associated with other previous RCF materials. I'm still going to use the rigidizer and satanite with my Mr Volcano forge and I definitely wouldn't eat the superwool xtra, but I believe that over time the risk of negative health effects with this material is probably substantially lower than if I were to use a different material and I think that any of us building forges should probably consider using Superwool xtra over other materials in the future. I have no affiliation at all with Mr Volcano, Morgan Advance Materials, or anyone else. I'm just a dude on the internet who loves forging and is in the process of setting up my first forge, but I do have a background as a researcher and I used the same process that I typically do for assessing the validity of this type of claim and I believe it to be accurate.

[@scoobydoo6757]

Sorry for the late reply, just found this video but I gotta say @Jeff Jeff thank you for the info!! I was curious about that exact info!! Thank you for your hard work :)!!

[@danherald8312]

Thank You for your looking into this forge. I also have this one and am just learning to make tongs in it. I’m having trouble tuning the gas air mix, lots of scale forming while steel is in the forge. The only problem I have had with the it is the burner set screws that hold the burner stripped 2nd use. Thank You again can’t wait to see you use this. God bless and keep you.

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Thank you And be sure to check out My video on tuning the gas forge. God bless you and keep you as well

[@danherald8312]

@@ChristCenteredIronworks I have a few times. I’ll get it at some point. Just don’t know what I’m doing yet and am doing it out side in daylight. Thank You

[@Pyro17059]

I followed the directions exactly too. Weighed stuff out...Had a bunch of cracks as well.

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Yeah it's not great but also that's a minor issue... Still a good option for the price

[@GWIRailroad]

Thank You so much for doing the review for the double burner Mr. Volcano. It would be great if you could find the upgraded hose and regulator for this one. I really do not care for the ones that came with it. Awesome job Roy. Blessing to you and your family. Wayne

[@hoodoo9185]

The single burner forge comes with the same super wool now too. Mine had the same exact pink sheet announcement.

[@hawkbox]

Can confirm

[@hunterlinville7918]

Its interesting how it changed when i ordered mine only one burner had a shut off valve on it Edit: I ordered my forge in march and it still works great One problem that I had was when using only one burner it strained and broke one spot weld on the burner tube

[@kiplambel4052]

Mine also came with only one ball valve. I emailed them to complain and they replied that it was supposed to, and that when you're only using one burner you are to shut off *And remove* the one not being used. On my single burner I use the valve to turn the gas on and off, and they said not to do it that way and use the regulator to initiate flow.

[@dlawde]

Mine has one angle and one straight fitting at the top. One of the hoses is like Tom’s, but the other point straight up. It makes it unstable with a 180° pull to the floor tank. Glad to see the improvement.

[@Curtis86]

The refractory cement also makes for a more durable inside. Definitely wise to use.

[@BurntMushroomBlacksmithing]

Right... just ranting, but a foundry I was working at uses the ceramic wool alot to help with overflow on the drags/flasks... no one told us it was dangerous. We handled it daily. Good shit huh? Lol 🍻

[@zackwolf9351]

Very informative I got one last year wish I would have seen this before I coated mine.

[@kimivy7234]

Did you use pipe tape on the gas fittings? At the burner connections and the propane tank fitting??

[@leslierupert3550]

Would a 3/4 firebrick make the flames swirl in the forge? You said the brick catches the flame, stock bricks are 1.5 inches so im wondering if a thinner brick would allow that swirl flow

[@mattlp5857]

I bought the linked house upgrade from Amazon. The shutoff valves that come with the forge have barb connections. Do I need new shutoff valves, too? I can't seem to find 1/8 female to 3/8 flare valves. What did you do?

[@elirobertson2324]

Hi there! Youve been a big help for me, appreciate your videos. I was wondering, if in using one burner, i can just clamp it up out of the way once i remove it from the burner tube right??

[@markjauregui8138]

That's good to know that it doesnt produce any crystalline silica.... Once CS gets un your lungs it stays there causing a silicosis of the lungs, Very slow miserable death by asphyxiation.... I work with the normal Kawool insulation in low, high temp furnaces, It is pretty nasty stuff when you see it floating in the air around you, it's more about what you cant see though. Thanks for this video, it has helped me decide on my forge I will be ordering over the next day or so.....

[@SchysCraftCo.]

Very nice video and tool review Roy. Yes I love my Mr volcano forge. The og black 2 burner model. I have had it almost a year now. I am a great fan of it. I get great use out of it. Can't wait to see more videos soon Roy. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend. Forge On. Fab On. Weld on. Keep Making. God bless.

[@elirobertson2324]

Hey there! Id love to know about the fuel efficiency of your forge. How much forge time do you get running a a standard size propane tank??

[@eddierust4685]

I ordered the same regulator that your friend did, do you happen to have a link to the new shutoff valves he used?

[@kennruckey]

I’m looking at purchasing a forge, specifically a propane forge. I’ve done some research and some people suggest purchasing a gauge to put at the tank so the I know what pressures I’m using, but I can’t seem to find one with actual numbered levels, just color codes Any suggestions?

[@BarrRunForge]

Enjoy, Thomas. Good review on a good product. God bless.

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Thank you brother Troy

[@kenmeuse2226]

Did you wet the koa wool before you put the cement on it?

[@msadler01]

What are the advantages of the two burners? Just a bigger forge for bigger forging? Hotter?

[@justin_ray]

I run one of these and love it.

[@BurntMushroomBlacksmithing]

Good to know. I really think they look nice. I'm using a decent sized coal forge at the moment, but I like the length of this. I don't follow a single "style" in regards to smithing, and this would be nice for longer projects! 🍻

[@kevinluck5388]

Question have the same forge, once up to heat mine sputters flames back and burners shut down ? What am i doing wrong

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

You may be adding to much gas (LP) or the other Way around to much Air.. I have a tuning a gas forge video here on the channel I suggest you check It out. It should help 🙂

[@shadowcastre]

I have this 2 burner model... it is a good forge! A couple of things.. 1) The length on mine fits the 2 bricks perfectly. 2) Many thin layers of Satanite will reduce cracking. It's a process. 3) I wish the burners weren't at an angle. I'll be modifying mine so that the burners point straight down from the center/top for more even heat. Thanks for the video...

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Thank you for sharing your experience 😊

[@BurntMushroomBlacksmithing]

How'd you get one? Lol last I checked they were out. Gotta check again. Keep it coming! This is my smithing or "second"channel. You know me as Jackson Dunno lol. All I have is a KZbin poop and a sideshow uploaded at the moment. You inspired me to try and join the "KZbin smiths" lol! Keep the good stuff coming!🍻

[@lasersailor184]

I'd bet that if you flush up the front brick, the back brick would have enough of an overhang to sit another brick on it to block up the back.

[@jerrodlopes186]

Excellent thought. Thanks.

[@MadMFox]

I think they cut down on size for cost. Got mine about a year ago 20" long, fire bricks fit fine.

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Very interesting 🤔 ... Thank you for sharing your experience with the community 👍

[@MadMFox]

@@ChristCenteredIronworks YW

[@Smallathe]

Very cool! What was in that sandwich??? ;)

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

LoL fat 😝

[@Fricker112]

oh don't mind me, just helping the algorithm

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Need all the help I can get 😉

[@aaronfowler5477]

So math wasn’t your favorite subject huh? Lol

[@Curtis86]

I used 2-1/4fl oz per 8oz bag of refractory

[@GregsAutomotive]

can i melt metal with this?

[@stevenparson0]

Well Thomas the hand model is going to be making his own stuff now so does that mean he's not going to be your wonderful hand model anymore one more question how come you don't make any flint and steel instead of using it high carbon steel to make knives you can make flint and steals with it instead

[@thomasgoodemoot]

I will still be in the videos don't worry I will be there for all the hand modeling needs

[@stevenparson0]

@@thomasgoodemoot Oh well good to know what would roy do without his fabulous hand model

[@AkTx907]

Are you on tik tok

[@DukeEarl918]

Way too much talking with too little info or actual review

[@tylerkremer5639]

So I have a question I'm very new to blacksmithing and I'm considering buying this forge instead of the smaller Mr volcano forge should I get the bigger one and what is that orange stuff you spray?

[@mannish7569]

That’s not a “review”.