[TheForge] going for gas

[Steve Bloom]

At 12:44 AM 2/19/2003 -0500, Scott wrote:

>>of coal goes for $15 US.  My double-burner atmospheric cranked for 
>>forging (not welding) temps sucks a 20lb propane bottle dry in ~8 hrs -
>>load the forge with multiple pieces w/o burning them up. of course, 
>>pin-point heating and forge welding are not possible.
>
>         Hmmm, tell that to the pattern welded billets that I welded in my 
> double-burner atmospheric non-blown 20lb propane bottle gas forge.

Ahmmm - Scott you will notice that I said "cranked for forging (not 
welding)" -- I weld my Damascus in gas BUT not at the same
gas consumption and temperatures that I forge at - hence my estimate of gas 
consumption is for maybe 1800 to 2000 F. Now if
you can weld at those temps,  more power to you.  The original question 
dealt with relative costs for forging and the advantages/
disadvantages of coal vs gas for forging -- not Damascus production. A good 
atmospheric will hit welding temps w/o a blower,
but obviously will use more fuel than if the same forge is turned down to 
just a forging temp.

Steve (the writer of the unreferenced quote above)

Steve Bloom, IronFlower Forge. Archer, FL
     Webmaster for the FABA web site:
	www.blacksmithing.org