where does one find coal?

[Mykl Clark]

Where would a budding smith find coal in the US? I found some in Canada but shipping was about 4 times the price of the actual coal.

 

[rlinger]

I think there's a lump or two in West by God Virginia If I could cough out all I have in my lungs from five years under the hill in the 70's it could fire up a forge for a couple minutes.

RL

 

[DaQo'tah Forge]

Okay....when I started to make knives I didnt have a gas forge so I went to the steam plant for the bigger schools in town and they heat with huge piles of coal.

I was able to pick up stuff that fell off the rail road cars as it was un loaded.

I got about a full pick-up load one time, it was a bit of work but it was free.

After I got caught.....I switched to just useing reg barbeque coal and it worked fine too.

as long as i never wanted to do anything where you needed clean coal I never found anything wrong with coal used in the Barbeque.


but at $6 a bag I switched to gas in the end....

 

[SAK]

Blacksmith's Gazette has a list of coal suppliers: http://www.fholder.com/Blacksmithing/coal.htm

You can also order it from Centaur Forge and other places.

--SAK

 

[Mykl Clark]

thanks guys that helps alot. I've been using reg charcoal for now but I'd like to try coal.

 

[Sweany]

Larry Mills in OKC OK has pocohontas coal. Barrels or bags. Good stuff.

mills_fam2@netzero.net

tell him Sweany sent you.

 

[Todd Robbins]

If you can find the nearest chapter of the Artist Blacksmith Association of North America(ABANA), you can probably hook up with a supply close to you. Blacksmith's coal burns cleaner than other grades, and is much more cost effective to use than charcoal briquets. Real charcoal is even better, but takes some time and effort to make.

Todd