[TheForge] Re: Coal, Propane, or charcoal

[Jonathan Barnhart]

I think that my coal forge only has a 2-3" drop to the firepot at most.  It was put toether by somebody before me using firebrick, steel angleiron, and old cast plumbing fittings.  I added a small squirrel cage and a rheostat switch to it and went to work.  I've got a better hand crank blower that came from an old hand crank civil defense siren.  I figured on adding a v-wheel, belt, and electric motor to it.  Then using it to replace the squirrel cage, adding an air gate, and a new rheostat switch with plug-in outlets in a box.  Plus, I thought about adding some plate steel leaves to the sides to make it easier to balance bigger pieces on it.  Maybe even add some small wracks on its front to hang some fire tools or tongs on.  With those changes it would have better control and be a whole lot more convenient to use.  However, I'm considering building a gas forge as well when I can afford it.


--- On Thu, 9/11/08, robert hensarling <rhrocker at hilconet.com> wrote:

> From: robert hensarling <rhrocker at hilconet.com>
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Re: Coal, Propane, or charcoal
> To: "Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
> Date: Thursday, September 11, 2008, 2:45 AM
> 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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