[TheForge] Gas Forge Recommendation

[Bisnette SSgt Bernie R]

I currently live in Okinawa Japan.  The only remnants of any type of
smithing I have discovered are those on the Samari swords, and purposes of
making weapons. The Okinawan people are very utilitarian, however the new
generation is starting to look into more decorative ways and accepting items
of beauty to also be practical. It pretty much is a dead art but anyone
willing to start a business here would make a killing.  The thought has
crossed my mind. After reading all the posts on using ceramic and other
mediums...I actually studied the fire in my forge this weekend.  I noticed
that wood charcoal is very light when burning and when more air is applied
it causes the charcoal to blow away, so I can see that using green wood
would actually increase the density of the wood, allowing it to remain in
place.  The other issue I was pondering is...can these ceramic balls be
mixed in with wood charcoal?  How about plain old gas grill lava rocks,
would these have any added value? 20 lbs of wood charcoal just doesn't last
that long.   

-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Mudge [mailto:dave at magichammer.net] 
Sent: Friday, July 15, 2005 1:00 PM
To: 'Sponsored by ABANA'
Subject: RE: [TheForge] Gas Forge Recommendation

Great story Bernie, tell us more about blacksmithing in Japan.

dave mudge
dave at magichammer.net
http://www.magichammer.net
http://www.metalsmithinghowto.com
 
-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bisnette SSgt Bernie
R
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2005 7:34 PM
To: 'Sponsored by ABANA'
Subject: RE: [TheForge] Gas Forge Recommendation

Funny this topic has come up. I have been wrestling with what to do about
fuel for my forge since I live in Japan and can't even get coal. They do
sell charcoal that is made out of wood, however it takes a lot and you can
be sure that just when you need to finish your last heat...the box is empty.
This is where the beauty of evolution comes into play. I do chainsaw carving
and was tripping over chunks of wood rolling under my feet and had an
awakening.  I could make charcoal out of all these chunks.  Of course that
turned into quite the endeavor. I looked up making charcoal on the internet,
dug a hole in the ground in which to bury the smoldering can of wood chunks,
put the lid on and buried it.  I missed one important step in the
excitement, and forgot to leave vent holes...you would of thought someone
was lighting off a stick of dynamite!  I didn't realize there were so many
dogs in the neighborhood, the barking was unreal!  I haven't mustered up the
courage to start making my own charcoal again cause I still have wounds from
my wife beating me.  Wood charcoal does work for the small stock, so I would
say save your coal for your big processes and use wood charcoal for the
small stuff, this may give you some relief to your sinuses and get them to
clear so you can tear 'em up again.     



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