[TheForge] Re: Water on your coal forge fire?

[xlch58 at swbell.net]

I have used coke in the past and still have a large drum of it.  The 
metallurgical grade coke available here ( that I have found) is a long 
way from the light "breeze" coke formed by a coal forge.  It generally 
come in fist sized chunks and larger and needs to be broken up.  I made 
a rig using a pipe and wedge ended steel bar to do mine - powered by 
small boys it was reasonably efficient.  It is a right bear to get 
burning and I generally use an OxyAcet rig to do it.   My first forge 
was made of a large drum and I used the lower section for my coke 
hopper.  When I was building it I was greatly worried about an errant 
spark setting off these fist sized and larger bits of coke.  After 
spending the first five days of my blacksmithing experience just trying 
to get it to burn, I stopped worrying ( I made the rig to bust it into 
smaller pieces on the  third day)   It doesn't clump at all, so it is 
hard to get that welding "cave"  and fire control was more difficult for 
me, as water would not reign it in near as long as coal.   I still use 
it on occasion, but generally just pack the center of my coal fire with 
it.  On the good side, it has a pleasant odor ( compared to coal) 
doesn't spout gobs of green./yellow smoke when started and burns very 
hot, but all in all I have found the coal more conducive to my work.   
My problem with coal was I got a great deal on a large batch of it that 
was/is horrid from a local farriers supply that was going out of 
business.  Full of shale, clinkers up with huge clumps in no time.   
Lots of fines ( which is probably the best part)  so a year or so ago, I 
finally bit the bullet and made a freon can gas forge "just for small 
stuff" thinking I could use it in my garage in inclement weather with 
proper ventilation.   It is amazing how big the "small stuff" has 
gotten.  I seldom use any of my coal forges anymore.

Charles

Rich Maynard wrote:

>Why does everyone use coal? Can't you buy coke in the US?
>
>Rich M.
>
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