Charcoal

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Fiddleback

Knifemaker
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Whats the best for forging and where to buy. Preferably with no shipping.

Or, is coal better?


Thanks. Andy
 
I don't know about your area. But here south of Houston Tx I had found a place a couple years ago to buy 1 ton of coal for $120 I think. But that was about 5 years ago. I use a gas forge now.
 
WallyWorld carries bagged real, hardwood charcoal in the outdoor section with the rest of the barbeque stuff. Price wasnt too bad if I remember right. Smells better than coal and your neighbors will think you are cooking out all the time.
 
Thats true I forgot that Walmart carried that. I remember finding it also at some of my Local Grocery stores.
 
Elleipein said:
Thats true I forgot that Walmart carried that. I remember finding it also at some of my Local Grocery stores.
Click to expand...

Problem is though, they stop stocking it in the fall. Im not sure if its back in the stores yet. I just make my own, which is kinda fun actually.
 
Personally I'd go with coal if you have a good source locally. Remember it has to be bituminous coal (often called "blacksmith's coal") rather than anthracite. If you want to go charcoal, try restaurant supply places. They usually have large bags of real hardwood charcoal.

-d
 
Really great responses. Thanks. You guys are quite a resource. I've got a little gas forge. But I saw a demo with a coal forge (using charcoal I think) and it heated the steel FAST. Plus, no welding, which I stink at.
 
Find a good bbq place that uses the real stuff and ask where they get it.
Probably at a local restraunt supply.
That's where I found it.
 
Sorry to keep bugging you guys. And I'm kinda embarassed to ask this question. But:

How do you light the charcoal fire??? Is it OK to use lighter fluid?? Newspaper?? Will these items stain the steel? Is there a correct method?
 
I always used newspaper and some little pieces of wood to start a little fire then started adding the charcoal. I do not see any reason that Lighter fluid would harm the steel. Lighter fluid burns off very quickly.
 
aproy1101 said:
Sorry to keep bugging you guys. And I'm kinda embarassed to ask this question. But:

How do you light the charcoal fire??? Is it OK to use lighter fluid?? Newspaper?? Will these items stain the steel? Is there a correct method?
Click to expand...

All I ever did was use my bottle torch. The tribal forge guys might turn their noses up on that one. :)
 
We in the uk, prefere coke, the smaller the pieces the better, get it from coal yards or farrier supplies. to light we make a small fire with wood, then swith the fan on, then either the smoky opption cover the fire with coke completeley or less smokey, slowly introduce the coke with flame still visible until the wood has gone and the coke is the fuel.

Cheers

Dave
 
I really appreciate all the help. I'll try to not bother you guys for a while....

If I can. New anvil. New forge. Finally.
 
just to piggy back, can any one explain or give a link as to why briquette charcoal is bad for forges?
-matt
 
SR_matt said:
just to piggy back, can any one explain or give a link as to why briquette charcoal is bad for forges?
-matt
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As I understand it...there are additives(clay and something else I cannot remember) that can cause excessive pitting in steel. Coal gets and stays hotter and doesn't cause as much pitting. Charcoal is actually cleaner and recommended if using a coal forge to forge stainless steels.
 
ok, very cool, i havent been able to find a reason until now.

will buring hard wood untill you gain a bed of coals work the same ?
-matt
 
SR_matt said:
ok, very cool, i havent been able to find a reason until now.

will buring hard wood untill you gain a bed of coals work the same ?
-matt
Click to expand...

Yes, partly. What I have done is burn a pile of wood and as coals form, drag them away from the fire and dowse with water to stop the burning process. Rinse them well and let dry.

There are methods of burning wood in a closed container with tiny holes for venting and the fire on the outside. The wood chars but isn't consumed by the fire and pure charcoal is the byproduct. Google search charcoal making and you'll find a lot of information on it.
 
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