Charcoal Users

[lively]

Has anyone heard of any American makers who forge on charcoal as fuel full time, professionally besides myself or Tai Goo?

 

[RMLamey]

I havent heard of anyone else. Im definitely looking forward to trying it out (although im only part time...for now).



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"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty"
Thomas Jefferson

 

[Ed Caffrey]

At one time I used charcoal exclusively. I was living in Arkansas at the time, and coal smoke was a problem with the neighbors. At that time nobody had though of gas forges, so I did a little research and started making my own charcoal from oak pallets that were free for the taking from local stores. I would basically bust up the pallets, place them in 55 gal drums and "half" burn them. At that point I would put a lid on the barrel, turn it upside down, and shovel some dirt around to seal it. Next morning I would dump the contents onto a sheep of plywood, and use a magnet to get all the nails out. It was possibly the best forging fuel I have ever used. The only draw back is the amount consumed. Two barrels would last about 3/4 a day of hard forging. Very little scale, almost no smoke, and no clinkers! I certainly liked it. Had I not decided that gas was a less time consuming fuel, I would likely still be using charcoal.
http://www.mtn-webtech.com/~caffrey

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Ed Caffrey
"The Montana Bladesmith"

 

[lively]

Ed,
We could really use your experience and input on the other charcoal fuel post.I'm curious on what type of forge set up you were using that was so comsuptious with the charcoal fuel? Thanks.
Tim