[TheForge] going for gas

[Phlip]

Since you posted on both Lists, I'm going to reply on both Lists.

Ene bichizh ogsen baina shuu...

> I have been operating a home forge for a while now ( I live in built up
> residential area) and I have received a complaint from a neighbour
> regarding smoke. I use a coal forge. This puts me in quite a
> predicament. I wish to continue forging but I don't want a visit from
> the cops or worse, her lawyer.

Not sure of prices down your way, but another option is charcoal. You'd
likely want a slightly deeper firepot, but coal and charcoal are
interchangeable. I use it because I'm working back towards more Medieval
types of equipment, but it does have a number of advantages, including the
fact that it doesn't smell bad. Several knife and tool makers I know have
said that they prefer it because there are fewer impurities- YMMV.

Aaron Silver's forge has a fire pot nestled down into an old gas barbecue,
so that might be an option, for protection and concealment in your back
yard.

I can see it now- Ms Nosybody sends the police over because of your forge.
They come into the back yard, and all you have is charcoal and a barbecue.
One nudges the anvil, with the hammer on it, and asks, "What's that?"

"Oh", you reply. We've been having some really tough steaks lately."

;-)

Phlip

 If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it is probably not a
cat.

Never a horse that cain't be rode,
And never a rider who cain't be throwed....