charcoal or coal

B

byersj79

Joined
Nov 17, 2007
Messages
156
I just got a old coke forge as a gift and wanted to try some damascus in it. I have a good source of coal nearby but have heard pine charcoal is hotter and cleaner. I've also been told that I will use much more charcoal than coal and its a pain to make. So which do you guys prefer. All my limited experience comes from propane so some pointers would be much appreciated too. Thanks ahead.
 
I don't know if charcoal gets hotter than coal, I only have experience with the latter. Coal gets awfully hot though. Way hotter than needed for welding. Just reduce the coal to coke first to get a proper/clean weld (although I've seen guys welding in very dirty fires, I guess it depends on when and how you flux).

I learned to weld in a coal fire and have no problems whatsoever. If you're coming from a gasforge I could see how welding in any type of coal could be tricky at first since the "tells" I believe are used in a gasforge (bubbling of the flux etc, don't use gas myself so I'm on thin ice) are much harder to use due to limited visual access....

Cheers Rody
 
I was wandering how you know its "ready" because of not being able to see the flux bubbling. When do you flux? Do you flux and put it back in like propane, or will it burn off or get rubbed off by the coals? Like I said I have no experience in coal and as far as experience, very little with damascus. I have a good friend that has shown me a lot on his propane forge but he has never made damascus in coal.

Seems like coal is the way I will go. How long should a 50lb bag go (in hours)? The forge has about a 10 in firepot and my average knife overall length is 8 to 10in.
 
On average I buy 3 50 pound bags per year. and usually have atleast 1 bag put up for the next season. It took 6-8 bags to fill my 55 gallon drum I keep it in. and use maybe 1.5 - 2 bags per year, forging 3-4 hours per weekend and maybe 10-12 hours per month. hope this helps
 
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