[TheForge] Re: Coal, Propane, or charcoal

[robert hensarling]

Humm...I wonder if that's some of my problem?  I have an old forge with
cement lining.  The firepot is 6 inches from the top of the castable, to the
clinker breaker, pretty deep.  I normally use coal.  So far it hasn't been a
big problem, but it doesn't seem to get as hot as I'd like>


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Saint Phlip" <phlip at 99main.com>
To: "Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 12:52 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Re: Coal, Propane, or charcoal


> Well, a shallower forge seems to work better. Mine is about 3 inches
> deep, and it's still deeper than I'd like. That's why I'm so
> interested in building the medieval forge- it will be shallower yet,
> according to my reading of the instructions on De Re Metallica. For
> the most part, the charcoal in a deep fire seems to be wasted, and
> when you need a deep fire, it's easy enough to pile the charcoal up.
>
> Lots of air, though, was my key, at first, and I much prefer my
> hand-cranked blower because it's easier to control the air, both by
> speed of cranking, and by letting it stop, so you aren't eating up
> charcoal while you're hammering.
>
> I started using coal, but I discovered that I was using charcoal to
> start my fire- WTF? So I switched, and have continued with it, in part
> because it's appropriate for my period of study, but also because it
> smells better than coal, and it's lots easier to use while teaching.
> For my students, they're learning how to heat and shape the metal,
> rather than perpetually dicking with the fire to manage it. They learn
> faster, and I get more done.
>
> And, as a side benefit, I've never had a problem with fire safety
> inspectors at the various sites I've taken it to. I just tell them
> "It's a barbecue with an attitude" and they look at my set up, and
> pass it without a qualm.
>
> On Thu, Sep 11, 2008 at 1:36 PM, Brian Reedy <lfpd7311 at gmail.com> wrote:
> > I've always used the lump (real) charcoal, even experimented with making
my own with varied amounts of success.  In fact, my first four or five
projects were made with homemade charcoal, although the forge they were used
in was about 6 inches deep making it easy to get the steel buried in heat.
Perhaps coal has spoiled me.  Perhaps it is I who has failed the charcoal.
I'm leaning towards propane almost entirely due to convenience.  With two
small kids it's not often I get the chance to pound steel all day long,
usually 1-2 hrs max.  For those of you speaking highly of charcoal, what
fire management techniques should I be using?  It seems that using charcoal
the same as coal is doomed to fail.  Obviously you're not going to make a
"beehive" out of dampened charcoal, but then again what do I know?  Any help
is truly appreciated.
> >
> > Brian Reedy
>
> -- 
> Saint Phlip
>
> Heat it up
> Hit it hard
> Repent as necessary.
>
> Priorities:
>
> It's the smith who makes the tools, not the tools which make the smith.
>
> .I never wanted to see anybody die, but there are a few obituary
> notices I have read with pleasure. -Clarence Darrow
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