Where to buy fire bricks and refractory cement?

[jhobson]

Sorry for repeating myself but the title of my last thread 'What is the contact info for Wrights?' was poor.

To build and use a forge like Hank Knickmeyer described at the Hammerin, I need 16 soft firebricks and half a bag of cement (don't know how big US bags are but I'm going to try and buy 10kgs).

At the hammerin several people (maybe they were from the blacksmith crowd) told me that Wrights was the best place to get bricks and cement.
I have just found this on the web:
Wrights Refractories (1991) Ltd
Address: Bridge Street, Stourbridge, West Midlands DY8 5YU
Telephone: 0138476493
I'll call next week but if anyone knows good sources for firebricks and cement then please let me know.

I checked out Potclays which has been suggested before on this forum
but they charge over £4 per brick and £3 for 0.5kg of refractory powder . . .not the cheap forge I had imagined!

[PS_Bond]

There's also Purimachos in Bristol... http://www.purimachos.co.uk
Can't find the prices offhand.

[Colin KC]

Sorry for repeating myself but the title of my last thread 'What is the contact info for Wrights?' was poor.

To build and use a forge like Hank Knickmeyer described at the Hammerin, I need 16 soft firebricks and half a bag of cement (don't know how big US bags are but I'm going to try and buy 10kgs).

At the hammerin several people (maybe they were from the blacksmith crowd) told me that Wrights was the best place to get bricks and cement.
I have just found this on the web:
Wrights Refractories (1991) Ltd
Address: Bridge Street, Stourbridge, West Midlands DY8 5YU
Telephone: 0138476493
I'll call next week but if anyone knows good sources for firebricks and cement then please let me know.

I checked out Potclays which has been suggested before on this forum
but they charge over £4 per brick and £3 for 0.5kg of refractory powder . . .not the cheap forge I had imagined!


Lemme know Jack what prices are like & I'll certainly jump in with an order & see if we can get a discount together;)

[jhobson]

A new one. Seems resonable prices:
Bath Potters Supplies http://www.bathpotters.co.uk/webpage.htm#kilns

20 bricks for £30. They also do ceramic blanket, board, hardener, and cement.

Downside: I'm not sure how good the delivery service is and they don't open on a Sat so I can't visit easily.

Btw, they talk about using a standard plumbers burner for DIY kilns. I just happend to get one yesterday from Machine Mart for £24 with 3 different size burners (I went in to buy just regulator and hose - which they didn't have in stock - but for a little more you get a nice set). The big 50mm one heats up my workshop very quickly!

[Colin KC]

& this one: http://www.tabrefractories.co.uk/index2.htm

[shing]

I've got loads of firebricks if you don't mind paying postage or collect them yourself, £1.50 each. I'm near Derby. Although I might be in Bristol soon when my sister has her Scottish baby.

[narsil]

Are they the soft type? I wouldn't mind geting hold of a couple to experiment with a one brick forge.

[Colin KC]

I'll be after @ 80-100 hard type, 25Kg refractory, a few soft type & some of that there blanket;)

[Colin KC]

OT, BTW Jack, it's called Knick Knack & is on the Finding Nemo DVD;)

[shing]

They're soft as butter and I've got ceramic fibre as well. Please PM with your requirements. P&P is extra

[Kevin]

£3 for 0.5kg of refractory powder . . .not the cheap forge I had imagined!


Jack....maybe you could make your own 'adobe' to save money....Mix equal quantities if sand and clay, and add a cup full of wood ash..add water and mix. .........I made adobe for a charcoal forge a couple of years ago .....

[jhobson]

Wrights phone number was dead.

Bath Potters Supplies very helpful. Do everything except castable refractory!
Will sell blanket by the meter (don't need to by a whole box). Good to 1260 C. Less harmful than Kawool (so they say). Will arrange delivery by local carrier.
So maybe buy from here and make a blanket lined forge.
I need to call back to see who they suggest for castable.


Purimanchos helpful but really cater for trade. They will charge £41 to make up and deliver a pallet (upto 1 tonne). But they don't sell soft firebricks!! (do sell hard)
They recommended 'Castable 1500M' refractory £26 25kg for our purposes. (Good up to 1500 C. Durable i.e. hard. They sell others)
7m of 25mm blanket (I think 500mm wide) for £60.
Also recommend ceramic board 500x1000x50mm for £60.
So maybe get board and fill with refractory but I think this works out expensive. The bloke seemed to really like the board and suggested cutting strips and using it as lining - more durable than blanket.
Maybe could get just one bag of castable delivered for £25.
Really we need someone with access to a fleet of vans who can collect ;)

[Colin KC]

Hmm, that's a bugger that is, I need castable (as, I suspect many do) But. many need soft firebricks:(


Hmm, mebbe if Peter gets his finger out & posts the design for Hanks "cheap" forge, we can go to Purimanchos & get the lot & people'll go for hard bricks & refractory to make a forge;)


How'd TAB Refractories go?

[jhobson]

Jack....maybe you could make your own 'adobe' to save money....Mix equal quantities if sand and clay, and add a cup full of wood ash..add water and mix. .........I made adobe for a charcoal forge a couple of years ago .....

I was thinking about having a dig in my garden and mixing the resultant mud with ash and straw - just to see what happend. Now you have given me the recepie I may well use this for a Japanese style charcoal forge . . . but I wouldn't want to use this for lining one of Hank's designs. . . .would I?

[Colin KC]

Propblem is, our vans don't go further than Reading to the west:(

[jhobson]

can go to Purimanchos & get the lot

Actually, they said they can get soft bricks . . . but I got the impression they would want a bigger order than my 16.

[Wayne D]

I just did a search fro Refractory Cement , using 'Glass blowing and Glass working' as my starting point and found this link listing 92 companies inthe U.K stocking varuious types!

http://dir.mycartel.co.uk/Products_Industry/Refractory_Materials_&_Supplies/England/

I also asked the Glass Mastersmith at Uni today and he said he would dig out his suppliers address for where he gets Firebricks and cement from for me

[Kevin]

.....would I?

......I gather your garden is clay based?.......mix with fine builders sand and ash.....but I cant see the point in the straw unless your building an adobe walled ouse!....

Why dont you make a trial mix and see what happens...

[PS_Bond]

Purimachos helpful but really cater for trade. They will charge £41 to make up and deliver a pallet (upto 1 tonne). But they don't sell soft firebricks!! (do sell hard)


That's new... Guess where my box came from!!!

[Colin KC]

That's new... Guess where my box came from!!!


Hmmm, mebbe Jack needs to speak to someone over 17, & who's balls've dropped & gets paid over minimum wage;)

[MotorbikeMan]

Jack....maybe you could make your own 'adobe' to save money....Mix equal quantities if sand and clay, and add a cup full of wood ash..add water and mix. .........I made adobe for a charcoal forge a couple of years ago .....
There's a link on Roger Gregory's website the the mop bucket forge he made and he used cheap cat litter in the adobe mix as it's pure Fullers Earth

[jhobson]

That's new... Guess where my box came from!!!

I guess the guy meant that they had none in stock. He was very helpful once he'd warmed up - especially advising on what castable to use. I think he was quite a bit older than 17.

A very helpful Steve from Bath Potter supplies phoned me back and left a message with details of where to get the best castable . . . . Purimanchos.

[jhobson]

There's a link on Roger Gregory's website the the mop bucket forge he made and he used cheap cat litter in the adobe mix as it's pure Fullers Earth

I remember seeing Don Fog at the hammerin wandering in with a bag of cat litter . . . I wonder if he ever used it for anything?

[ZDP-189]

Did he have a cat?

[Colin KC]

Did he have a cat?

He did but due to an occulor incident (he is getting on a bit don't ya know) & a "caught short kitty" at an innoportune moment, it's in the forge now :( :rolleyes: ;)

[Colin KC]

So Jack, it'll be Purimanchos then & brow beat 'em till thay cough up with the soft bricks;)


Shouldn't be too difficult to make up a tonne of stuff, you reckon?

[jhobson]

So Jack, it'll be Purimanchos then & brow beat 'em till thay cough up with the soft bricks;)


Shouldn't be too difficult to make up a tonne of stuff, you reckon?

That seems best plan. Is it just your order and mine plus a few extra soft bricks?

[Colin KC]

Yup, I'll go 25Kg castable, 100 hard brick (gotta be biiig heat proof too, it's gonna be smelting (hopefully;))) 15 soft brick & I'll split your blanket if ya like, we'll have some extra hard bricks (they should be muuuuch cheaper than the soft ones, I hope;)) & some extra soft (& mebbe 50Kg extra castable)


With yours that should be close to a tonne;)


Lemme know how much mate:D

[PS_Bond]

Is that the group buy, or something else?
You might also want to think about some Kaowool board, it's really quite handy...
:D

[Colin KC]

Is that the group buy, or something else?

Kind of a group (pre) buy, if anybody wants something, jump in:D


You might also want to think about some Kaowool board, it's really quite handy...
:D


OK, Jack, we'll have some of that too;)

[jhobson]

we'll have some extra hard bricks (they should be muuuuch cheaper than the soft ones, I hope;))

I think hard may cost more. Bath Potters Supplies chages about £2 per brick for hard . . . Are you sure you want 100?

[Colin KC]

I think hard may cost more. Bath Potters Supplies chages about £2 per brick for hard . . . Are you sure you want 100?

De Nada Jack, just let me at 'em & I'll sort out a decent dicount too;)

[Wayne D]

hey folks I have that address recomended by the Glass Smith at my Uni.

apparently he gets a product called 'Castable refractory cement' and it is about £8 for a 24 Kg bag, but he can't remember what the price for the bricks is.

The address as taken off his invoices is:

Refractory Industrial Services
118 Longfellows Road
The Straights
Dudley
West Midlands
DY3 3EH

[jhobson]

I reckon anything under £20 is cheap . . so that's a bargain if it is any good.

[Wayne D]

well, I will take his word for it as it's how he makes he living :D

[Colin KC]

hey folks I have that address recomended by the Glass Smith at my Uni.

apparently he gets a product called 'Castable refractory cement' and it is about £8 for a 24 Kg bag, but he can't remember what the price for the bricks is.

The address as taken off his invoices is:

Refractory Industrial Services
118 Longfellows Road
The Straights
Dudley
West Midlands
DY3 3EH


Thanks Wayne,

I'll ring him (along with all the others (got about ten on the list now:rolleyes: ))

[Colin KC]

Huuuuge savings guys:D


Order should be onnits way soon;)

[Colin KC]

72 - 9x4½x3 23 grade insulation Bricks £1.30/each

75 kilos Jointing Cement @ £13.00/ 25 kilos

100 - 9x4½x3 Firebrick @ £1.08/each

1 roll Ceramic fibre blanket (1400) 7.3m x610mmx25mm thick - 128 kg/cu.metre density @ £46.85/roll

Ceramic Fibre Boards 1.25m x 1m x10mm thick @ £10.20/each

Rigidiser 5 litres - £15.00/5 litres

Carriage £81.50

All excl VAT, still a bloody good price:D

[Colin KC]

Just took delivery:)

Got to break the pallet down now:rolleyes:

[jhobson]

Some real good prices there.
I don't think jointing cement is the same as castable refractory so we are going to have to divert from Hanks kiln design.

[Colin KC]

Some real good prices there.
I don't think jointing cement is the same as castable refractory so we are going to have to divert from Hanks kiln design.

I'm gonna give it a try anyway, I'll let you know how it goes;)

[JJH]

Hi Guys am also going to make one of hanks forges, probably enlarge it to 6" so it can be used as a foundry for wootz at a later date, my local refactory supplier is RBB refactories and below is a e-mail with prices:

To John Hale



Thanks for your enquiry prices as follows.



1. Insulating firebricks (9” x 4½” x 3”) £2.22 each plus VAT

2. 1600 castable £15.75 per 25kg plus VAT

3. Ceramic fibre £56.55 per roll plus VAT (2’ x 24’)



Materials in stock at Dartford, please ring before collecting as not always manned.



Regards







Harvey

enquires@rbbrefractories.co.uk

What are people going to use as blowers, and has anyone got a source for silicon
carbide kiln shelves?

John

[imagedude]

Don't forget to let the castable dry out for a good few weeks after casting, then start drying further with burning newspaper for another week. It helps if you mix the powder with as little water as you dare. There's a good post in the Anvilefire archive (ending 30 April 05) http://www.anvilfire.com/FAQs/archives/

it's about 9 tenths of the way down the page

[jhobson]

Hi Guys am also going to make one of hanks forges, probably enlarge it to 6"

I asked Hank what could go wrong with the build. He said the most likely cause for the forge not working well is if the hole size was enlarged. I'd suggest you don't go for 6".

[jhobson]

rbbrefractories.co.uk
Half an hour from me! Wish I'd found out about this earlier. Very useful for next time I need castable. Thanks

[Steve Nunn]

You guys need to check sout http://www.backyardmetalcasting.com/index.html

If you havent seen it before. The castable refractory recipe (whilst I accept it probably isnt as good as bought, but if its good enought for a foundry and also seen it used in cupolas..)

Kitty litter and perlite works really. The kitty litter you have to either pound up into a powder (if you have the means) or soak it for a week or so in water and itll slowly break down into a thick slurry. I used on of those mixers that attaches to a drill for mixing plaster to help it break down (looks like a big corkscrew).

Recipe works a treat and it is castable.

Im about to use the recipe to make a foundry and a cuppola, Ive made the burner just got the rest to do

Steve

[jhobson]

http://www.johnwinter.co.uk/

Another supplier. I'm collecting them. I'm looking for ITC-100 now.

[Colin KC]

http://www.johnwinter.co.uk/

Another supplier. I'm collecting them. I'm looking for ITC-100 now.

I'll just use up the other stuff then Jack?:(;)

[jhobson]

I'll just use up the other stuff then Jack?:(;)
Did you get ITC-100 or just some non-branded hardener? I don't know if there is any difference but Ron Reil seems convinced that ITC-100 is something special for reflecting heat.
I've made a few firebricks and a forge tunnel out of my cat litter. It comes out a bit soft but not as soft and probably not as insulating as soft fire brick. It doesn't crack or chip under heat stress like normal brick (or concrete - positively dangerous!) so this has potential. Could be very good for a big smelt like you are planning!
I also had a play with making a burner but failed miserably. I was trying to use the fitting from a machine mart torch - a nice idea as it takes standard gas jets like you get on domestic cookers. I should have a number of jets spare of different sizes (for converting my cooker from natrual to bottle gas) but I've put them somewhere 'safe'.

I'm getting frustrated with bodging though. I need those proper firebircks and blanket. You got any left? I'll let you know my secret mix for the cat litter.

[PS_Bond]

ITC100 is a reflector, NOT a rigidiser - they're totally different things. Use hardener/rigidiser (or even porcelain slip, as Tai Goo uses), once that has set up put a coating of reflectant over it.

http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?p=45632

I posted an ITC100-alike recipe a wee while back.

[jhobson]

my local refactory supplier is RBB refactories
Looks like they have just be bought out by http://www.maracom.co.uk/company.htm

Dartford was much more handy for me than docklands :(

[jhobson]

You guys need to check sout [url]Kitty litter and perlite works really.
I made a small forge using these directions. Seemed OK at first but only lasted about 8 hours - much of that was welding with borax flux which seems to eat through the stuff.
:(

[Martyn]

http://www.johnwinter.co.uk/

Another supplier. I'm collecting them. I'm looking for ITC-100 now.

If you're collecting them, here's another...

Campbell Road
GB Stoke - on - trent ST4 4ET
Tél : 00 (44) 1 782 745 000
Fax : 00 (44) 1 782 746 000
http://www.potterycrafts.co.uk

Originally posted by keith Beef (thanks keith). These people are about 2 miles from me (living in the potteries, there just had to be a local refactory supplier) ...and I'm calling in tomorrow for some stuff. I'll let you know what they have, but if you have anything special you're looking for, speak up and I'll see if they have it (or know where it can be found). Stoke has more kiln's than houses, if it cant be found here, I cant think where else it could be found.

[Martyn]

Here's another a couple of miles from me...

http://www.krs.co.uk/

[Martyn]

...and another

http://www.kilns.co.uk/

[Colin KC]

Got some itc100 (from Mushy)

Blimmin expensive, but prolly worth it (haven't got round to it yet, just found out my castable is blimmin firebrick mortar! soft as ****:mad: still, only wasted about forty kilos:rolleyes: )

[Bowl Hook Maker]

To build and use a forge like Hank Knickmeyer described at the Hammerin, I need 16 soft firebricks and half a bag of cement (don't know how big US bags are but I'm going to try and buy 10kgs).


I searched unsuccessfully both this site and the net for this Hank Knickmeyer-designed forge.
Can any one post pictures of it please? or a design?

[Longstrider]

If you're collecting suppliers Jack, here's another one for the list...
http://www.shopcreations.co.uk/corbykilns/

They're not far from me (20 miles or so) and have been very helpful whenever I've been or telephoned them.

[jhobson]

I searched unsuccessfully both this site and the net for this Hank Knickmeyer-designed forge.
Can any one post pictures of it please? or a design?

JJH built one. There are probably pics from my hammerin - a big square thing.
I wouldn't recommend it unless you are going to start hitting big billets all day. If you are just playing like me then a smaller one is more practical - just stack a few bricks, see what happens, and when you have somthing that works cement it together.

[alx]

You can buy firebricks and refractory cement (http://www.vitcas.com) and other high quality refractory products from manufacturer in Bristol
www.vitcas.com (http://www.vitcas.com)or www.refractorycement.co.uk (http://www.refractorycement.co.uk)

[Underhay]

That looks a very useful link alx :)

[harrypot]

I built my own pizza oven using fire bricks and Vitcas Heatproof Screed.
I bought all online from www.vitcas.com (http://www.vitcas.com)
I spoke to a guy there who is very helpful and my order arriived next day

[MushiSushi]

Hmmmm ....

[hngywn]

we are a manufacturer of fire bricks.my e-mail address is hngywn@gmail.com

[Beachlover]

we are a manufacturer of fire bricks.my e-mail address is hngywn@gmail.com

Price for postage to UK?
:ralmao: :ralmao: :ralmao: :ralmao:

[Stew]

Price for postage to UK?
:ralmao: :ralmao: :ralmao: :ralmao:

If it's soft fire bricks they're actually quite light so shouldn't be too bad really! :lol:

[Beachlover]

If it's soft fire bricks they're actually quite light so shouldn't be too bad really! :lol:

Got to admire these guys for trying :rolleyes: :)

[MushiSushi]

we are a manufacturer of fire bricks.my e-mail address is hngywn@gmail.com

Do you also sell Nike trainers?

[Bugleone]

Just to remind people who want a quick kill on a simple charcoal forge,.....The supermarket chain Wilkinsons usually have fire bricks in three shapes/sizes and tubs of firecement. They are very competitively priced,.....the firecement was half the Wickes price when I looked a few months back in the Romford branch.

[harrypot]

My Fire Bricks (http://www.vitcas.com) were solid and Refractory Cement (http://www.vitcas.com) was easy to use. I had a tub of Fire Cement (http://www.vitcas.com) which was of excellent quality from original manufacturers in Bristol.

[parbajtor]

Price for postage to UK?
:ralmao: :ralmao: :ralmao: :ralmao:

£1 per brick £49 postage -If you don't like the brick, don't send it back, we're not allowed to accept them (chinese law), but we'll supply another brick free if you pay the postage:rolleyes:

[MushiSushi]

My Fire Bricks (http://www.vitcas.com) were solid and Refractory Cement (http://www.vitcas.com) was easy to use. I had a tub of Fire Cement (http://www.vitcas.com) which was of excellent quality from original manufacturers in Bristol.

:sign14: :sign14:

[alx]

There's also Purimachos in Bristol... http://www.purimachos.couk
Can't find the prices offhand.

The same company in Bristol now called Vitcas www.vitcas.com (http://www.vitcas.com)

[Toddy]

If you are in Scotland or the North of England, a company in Burnbank, Hamilton, VTS, sell this stuff (and they also do vacuum heat treating of metals.....and they'll do small production runs) Very, very knowledgable and helpful.
The links are :-
VACUA-THERM
5, Parkburn Industrial Estate,
Burnbank,
Hamilton,
ML3 0QQ
01698 825168/9

They supply furnaces, firebricks, kilns, cements, clays as well.

No connection, just a very happy customer.

cheers,
Toddy

[MushiSushi]

The same company in Bristol now called Vitcas www.vitcas.com (http://www.vitcas.com)

Eggs, Chips and ...........?

[Sterling]

We offer a full range of new and reclaimed firebricks and insulation bricks as well as the cement and various grades of refractory concrete.

www.sterlingcommodities.co.uk