Old timers on the steam locos told me they used to be able to tell the grade of coal just by the sound of it going down the chute. The bad stuff, which they nicknamed "Super-Sifted Never Glow" made a swishing noise like sand or water rushing, and you'd stoke your heart out with it and it'd just burn through in a twinkling without giving much heat. The good stuff like anthracite, it gave a hearty rumble like rock or big hailstones thumping against a roof. Loads of heat, and it swells up and glows as it burns. Personally smith with charcoal mostly as it's easy to find just about everywhere, or can be made easily enough, but I wouldn't mind trying a batch of good coal.
Damn. Forging is just a small hobby of mine and I use wood/ charcoal. Personally I’ve experienced my forge almost melting my steel. I was making a short sword and the tip melted off. Wood/charcoal is really messy so I might try to get a better kind of coal
I live about 5 mins from blaschak coal Corp here in Mahanoy City PA. You’re info about bituminous is a little off. Bituminous coal is mined in western PA. Here in Eastern PA it’s all Anthracite. And it’s some of the highest grade anthracite in the world. You can get coal right from the breaker here for around $280 a ton. The stuff you get at tractor supply is bagged right here and shipped all over the world.
My coal is really more like dirt than coal. It burns but I mix it with wood bits to keep it burning. I live in Eastern Canada so I don't have the same suppliers as you. I forged with wood for months before discovering this free coal supply, now I know why it was free.... thanks for the video, now I know what to look for...
I have plenty of metallurgical coke from the Hunedoara Steel Complex, Romania. The coke was made from anthracite coal. Metallurgical Coke is harder to light.
So helpful, I had no idea I thought coal was coal was coal... I just checked Tractor Supply in my SoCal area and i can get the Anthracite for 6.29 per 40lb. bag. I guess i better get on my horse and finish that forge.
I don't know if there's any demand for the stuff in CA, but I would recommend buying a bunch of the stuff if they can't reorder it in. 6.29 is a deal for that stuff. Surprised that the state hasn't banned coal yet. Thanks
This is an interesting subject. I never knew there were so many different grades of coal. Thanks for sharing this. By the way, my shirt fits great! Thank you very much!
Good to hear Jeff! There are even more grades of coal that are inbetween the 5 main types of coal. Steam coals, coking coals, non-coking coals, metallurgical coal, etc etc
That is very interesting Thanks... I just built my first Forge and not fired it up yet so am a bit concerned..I did ask Roy of Christ Centered Blacksmith If I would be better using Pure Coke but he adviced against it... Would you advice me to use a mix of Shiny Coal and Coke ? Cheers and thanks for sharing
Very good information! There are also other forge fuels besides the variants of coal, that work well also. The trick to success in using any of the forge fuels, is to understand it's properties, and then manage your fire according to its needs. Thanks for the video...
Iron Wolf Industrial I prefer coal too, but it's not always available to me. Other fuels include... charcoal, wood, dried whole feed corn, bark, if I had too regular bbq briquettes. There are cultures that use dried animal dung and cactus. I am of the mind that.. if it burns, heats steel, and then the steel moves under the hammer, then you can forge with it. Some fuels just work better than others. I use what I can get or I don't forge.
I don't understand why I keep hearing that anthracite can't be coked. I tested a bit and created perfect coke. I really want to make a coke oven but if there is something I'm missing, please let me know. PS. I buy anthracite directly from a coal mine in central Utah super cheap. I have a small mountain of wood and brush to feed a medium sized rocket coke oven. That's the plan anyway.
Old timers on the steam locos told me they used to be able to tell the grade of coal just by the sound of it going down the chute. The bad stuff, which they nicknamed "Super-Sifted Never Glow" made a swishing noise like sand or water rushing, and you'd stoke your heart out with it and it'd just burn through in a twinkling without giving much heat.
The good stuff like anthracite, it gave a hearty rumble like rock or big hailstones thumping against a roof. Loads of heat, and it swells up and glows as it burns.
Personally smith with charcoal mostly as it's easy to find just about everywhere, or can be made easily enough, but I wouldn't mind trying a batch of good coal.
For a university Master in Inorganic Chemistry, with some interest in history and engineering -- this was GREAT.
Damn. Forging is just a small hobby of mine and I use wood/ charcoal. Personally I’ve experienced my forge almost melting my steel. I was making a short sword and the tip melted off. Wood/charcoal is really messy so I might try to get a better kind of coal
I live about 5 mins from blaschak coal Corp here in Mahanoy City PA. You’re info about bituminous is a little off. Bituminous coal is mined in western PA. Here in Eastern PA it’s all Anthracite. And it’s some of the highest grade anthracite in the world.
You can get coal right from the breaker here for around $280 a ton.
The stuff you get at tractor supply is bagged right here and shipped all over the world.
bit coal is also mined in south il.
My coal is really more like dirt than coal. It burns but I mix it with wood bits to keep it burning. I live in Eastern Canada so I don't have the same suppliers as you. I forged with wood for months before discovering this free coal supply, now I know why it was free.... thanks for the video, now I know what to look for...
years ago I got bunch of Nova Scotia coal from closed mine that worked great
pretty sure it was anthracite
Charcoal will help.
Thanks for your clear, well described presentation.
I have plenty of metallurgical coke from the Hunedoara Steel Complex, Romania.
The coke was made from anthracite coal. Metallurgical Coke is harder to light.
Nice video with some great information. I use Anthracite to forge weld - it works great! Booyah.
I really like the stuff. I would use it all the time if I had access to it! Thanks for the comment
So helpful, I had no idea I thought coal was coal was coal... I just checked Tractor Supply in my SoCal area and i can get the Anthracite for 6.29 per 40lb. bag. I guess i better get on my horse and finish that forge.
I don't know if there's any demand for the stuff in CA, but I would recommend buying a bunch of the stuff if they can't reorder it in. 6.29 is a deal for that stuff. Surprised that the state hasn't banned coal yet. Thanks
Iron Wolf Industrial the week hasn't ended yet Pete, give em time. It's only Tuesday.
@@IronWolfIndustrial 2021 and still sold at Tractor Supply in SoCal. Fingers crossed that it continues!
Actually anthracite coal has been used for centuries. I use it myself and have for 20years. You Need to keep dripping it.
It's real nice stuff. I really enjoy using it. Thanks for the comment
This was a great tutorial!
Thanks! Glad you liked it.
This is an interesting subject. I never knew there were so many different grades of coal. Thanks for sharing this. By the way, my shirt fits great! Thank you very much!
Good to hear Jeff! There are even more grades of coal that are inbetween the 5 main types of coal. Steam coals, coking coals, non-coking coals, metallurgical coal, etc etc
Shipping costs are always the killer, im in Florida. I prefer coal over propane but Shipping has become a killer. I end up using both.
That blower motor sure could use a variable speed.
On, off hurricane is a bit much.
Iron wolf industrial....where can I get bulk bituminous coal for the price mentioned in this video ? I'm on east central Mn and I'm on the lookout !!
www.penncoal.com/bagged.html
EDIT: Your welcome :-)
Hello and very good informations .I thing to use small size coal for energy boilers you think its good ifea??
That is very interesting Thanks... I just built my first Forge and not fired it up yet so am a bit concerned..I did ask Roy of Christ Centered Blacksmith If I would be better using Pure Coke but he adviced against it... Would you advice me to use a mix of Shiny Coal and Coke ? Cheers and thanks for sharing
Try anthracite or bituminous. Easy to get online and they do the job.
Awesome tutorial. Has anyone shared this on fb forging for beginners?
I don't think so. Feel free to do that!
@@IronWolfIndustrial I did, on a couple bs sights. ;)
Around here they call it thermal coal or metalurgical coal. The later is turned in to coke for iron production.
Thank you
the reverse flow of oxygen puts all the flames down into work
Why you don't send this coal for black smith to california? THANK YOU SOMUCH.
can you forge with lignite?
Can we use in a blacksmith ?
Can you use house coal
i think that huge chuck was just a chuck of clay... i get those quite a bit in my coal i just toss em into another pile.
your voice is majestic lol
Ngl it reminds me of when the Chinese were mocking Americans in south park lol
GREAT info... thx.
So can you just start with coke?
Mystery coal = coal that was already partially burnt by an underground fire.
Very good information!
There are also other forge fuels besides the variants of coal, that work well also.
The trick to success in using any of the forge fuels, is to understand it's properties, and then manage your fire according to its needs.
Thanks for the video...
I will always prefer coal over anything else. It just works, and I enjoy it. What other fuels are you referring to? Charcoal, pellets?
Iron Wolf Industrial
I prefer coal too, but it's not always available to me.
Other fuels include... charcoal, wood, dried whole feed corn, bark, if I had too regular bbq briquettes. There are cultures that use dried animal dung and cactus.
I am of the mind that.. if it burns, heats steel, and then the steel moves under the hammer, then you can forge with it.
Some fuels just work better than others. I use what I can get or I don't forge.
yeah vor
I don't understand why I keep hearing that anthracite can't be coked. I tested a bit and created perfect coke. I really want to make a coke oven but if there is something I'm missing, please let me know.
PS. I buy anthracite directly from a coal mine in central Utah super cheap. I have a small mountain of wood and brush to feed a medium sized rocket coke oven. That's the plan anyway.
Impossible to buy anthracite from a mine in Utah when the only anthracite mines in America are in Pennsylvania.
How are the clinkers with anthracite?
My favorite coal is the kind I can find for free lol