[TheForge] coke vs. coal

[Stephen Viola]

Hi Robert,

Over here in Finland we tend to use coke purely for the cost saving
aspect. But the smiths here lean towards being more traditional and
prefer / tend to use coal for a more accurate heat. I'm only starting
out as a blacksmith and most of my experience has been with coke. I
have limited experience using coal and that was with giant double
chambered bellows which was an experience in itself!!!!. But there
seems to be the idea that managing the heat is more accurate with
coal. Some or all of you may disagree, if you do I would like to hear
why you think so.

Stephen

On 08/04/07, robert hensarling <rhrocker at hilconet.com> wrote:
> Good Grief, Ralph Sproul?  That name keeps popping up all over the place
> :o)  Seriously though I know Ralph thought the internet.  We met several
> years ago and he's helped me out of a world of problems, sharp guy (and was
> probably around when the coal was still a tree <G>).
> Being neighbor friendly isn't a concern thankfully.  I live a couple of
> miles out in the country.  My main concern is the excessive heat generated
> by the coke (or "cokes" as Uri Hoffi says, "everyone should trry and use-n
> zee cokes".  At this point in my learning career I better try and learn
> forge welding using coal, then switch to coke later on should I need to.
> Many thanks for all the answers.
> RH
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Rick Korinek" <rickkorinek at verizon.net>
> To: "'Sponsored by ABANA'" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Sunday, April 08, 2007 9:34 AM
> Subject: RE: [TheForge] coke vs. coal
>
>
> > Coke is very neighbor-friendly fuel.  Virtually no smoke.  The company
> > making it has already done all the polluting by burning off the volatiles
> > of
> > the coal.
> >
> > I used some when I was living in a subdivision near Boston.  The key is to
> > get "metallurgical" coke that has been crushed and screened.  The stuff I
> > used was dime to nickel sized chunks.  It worked very well, although it
> > gave
> > off lots of radiant heat that made it hot in the area you were working.
> >
> > The other thing about coke is it burns very hot.  Those using it recommend
> > a
> > heavy, thicker fire pot to avoid cracking.  Starting/lighting it was no
> > problem when you build a small fire using wood kindling underneath first.
> > Also not a bad way to start a coal fire as it smells much better than
> > newspaper.
> >
> > I know that a couple of folks out east got together to buy a large
> > quantity
> > about 4 years ago.  Ralph Sproul was one and could probably provide info
> > about their supplier, etc.
> >
> > Rick Korinek
> > Island City Forge
> > Minocqua, WI
> > islandcityforge.com
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> > [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of GHS
> > Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2007 2:29 PM
> > To: Sponsored by ABANA
> > Subject: Re: [TheForge] coke vs. coal
> >
> > Don how is coke on smoke and smell?
> > I know that my coal fire is a lot more neighbor friendly once it has
> > coked up.
> >
> > I have been thinking of coke or charcoal for just that reason.
> >
> > Mike Graf
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