Subject: Re: gas vs. coal

From: "David C. Hufford" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 17 Apr 1996 07:01:15 -0400 (EDT)

I use both gas and coal forges.  The gas is VERY convenient and clean.  
Mine is an atmospheric (no forced air) and I've had no luck forge 
welding with it.  Depending upon the physical dimensions of the forge, 
it is difficult to accommodate some work pieces.  The coal forge 
requires more attention while working, is more versatile, and, of 
course, works great for forge welding.  The ideal is to have both, but 
if I could have only one type, I'd choose the gas.

David C. Hufford

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From: niko caspers <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 17 Apr 1996 18:49:39 +0200

At 20.45 1996-04-16 EDT, you wrote:
>I'm setting up shop. I need a forge-gas or coal?. A gas forge would be
>convenient for me but I haven't heard good things about them for forge welding,
>limitation of stock size, etc. Any recommendations?
>
>
Hello
This is really difficult, i prefer coal mainly because of the heat this is
much more intense on the other side gas is clean.
The problem with coal is that there is a geat difference in quality the coal
must contain a certain amount off gas suitable for forging.
I am using coal with 35-38 % gas in it, this works fine  so if you are using
coal check out what you buy.

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From: [email-masked]
Date: Wed, 17 Apr 1996 20:29:11 -0400

Valerie, it depends on what material you wish to forge.  Forge welding is not
impossible in a gas forge, but you are right about stock limitations etc.
 Coal is more difficult to manage, but returns much nicer results, I feel.
 Gas forges leave an odd looking reddish scale that can be difficult to
remove, coal is smoky, smelly, dirty, and generally much easier to weld in.
 I use a gas forge for small parts, large runs, save the coal for short runs,
forge welding and when I want to have fun or make tools...I have used coal
longer, and am therefore much more comfortable with it.  
  Avaliability is something else to consider, regular coal won't work, and
good forge coal though available, is expensive, and the freight is a fright.
 There are several good suppliers, and lots of bad ones, experiment and ask
around. :-)

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From: [email-masked]
Date: Thu, 18 Apr 96 19:59:40 CDT

>limitation of stock size, etc. Any recommendations?

I am a BIG fan of gas forges.  But if you are just starting out, the best 
way to learn is on a coal forge.  Granted, this is just my opinion, but 
nothing beats a coal/coke forge for all around versitility.  The gas 
forges a very nice but will often make learning certain techniques (like 
upsetting) a little difficult.

-----------------------------------------------------
Name: Franklyn D. Garland        A Hobby Is Hard work
E-mail: [email-masked]          You wouldn't Do For
Date: 04/18/96                     A Living.

http://www.mcs.net/~frnklyn/homepage/

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From: [email-masked] (Kathleen Clay-Dewey)
Date: Sun, 28 Apr 1996 19:57:44 -0700 (MST)

>From Ike Dewey through my wife's account.

To let you know a few good things about gas forges. First you don't have to
find and keep a supply of coal around and getting coal dust when you have to
break it up. GAs you just fire it up and put steel in it and go when hot.
Second with a positive blower on it you can forge weld with it. There are
more reasons but I wil let you know what I have with mine.
My gas forge is about 2 feet long and it has two doors on it so that I can
run almost anylenght of steel in it. It is about a fifeteen inch diameter
pipe with two atmosphere burners in it and I get about fifteen to twenty
hours on one ten gallon tank. I have mine set up eye lewvel and I like it
because I can look straight in it and see the color of my steel. 
  My coal forge that I have sitting apart right now I used for two years and
I can get more work done with the gas because I can put more steel in it and
don't have to worry about getting it to hot and pitting it. I can work five
pieces of half inch dia. steel at one time and when the last one is worked
on the first one is ready again. I don't get a sore arm from cranking the
blower. I will keep my coal forge but I might try to find coke for it so
that I can take it to demo's instead of the gas forge. People like to see
the old crank forge's there.

LAter
                Ike Dewey 
                Pan's Forge 
                Phoenix, Az