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

[Michael H. Murphy]

I do use coke, but have the same problems getting it lit.  It will also go
out a lot quicker than a coal fire if you take a break and don't pump the
bellows.  For demonstration work, though, I prefer it to coal, mostly for
the clean burn I get from it.  That greenish-yellow smoke will definitely
tick off your neighbors at a craft fair -- especially if they're selling
food.

Murf

> -----Original Message-----
> From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:theforge-
> bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of xlch58 at swbell.net
> Sent: Monday, May 31, 2004 1:09 PM
> To: Sponsored by ABANA
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Re: Water on your coal forge fire?
> 
> 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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