Readers ask: How To Build A Coal Fired Forge?

What kind of coal do you use in a forge?

Bituminous Coal



Bituminous is the coal-of-choice for the blacksmith. It is a soft, mid-grade, black coal. Mined from deeper mines than lignite, it burns much more cleanly. When burning coal in the forge, we keep a “stock pile” of wet coal on the sides of the fire.

How do you make a charcoal forge hotter?

Two tips:

1. Use natural lump charcoal instead of charcoal briquettes. It costs more, but is really does burn a good deal hotter.
2. If one hairdryer isn’t enough, use TWO hairdryers! That or a wet-dry vac with the hose hooked into the exhaust port. That works pretty well.

Can you use charcoal in a forge?

Charcoal has much more carbon than normal wood (hence the black color) and is a much more efficient fuel source for a blacksmith forge. Charcoal will burn longer and hotter than normal wood and is comparable with coal as a fuel source – more on coal later. Charcoal was the fuel of choice for centuries of blacksmithing.

What burns hotter wood or coal?

Cleaning chimneys and stoves is important, and it adds to the cost of burning wood. Coal, in contrast, generates no creosote. Coal ignites at a temperature more than 100 degrees higher than wood, and it requires a hot bed of wood coals to get it started. Being far denser than wood, coal burns more steadily and longer.

What is the best fuel for a forge?

Coal and propane are the most typical fuels used in blacksmith forges. On the East Coast, coal is readily available and therefore more affordable than on the West Coast. Coal burns more efficiently and hotter than wood. Because of its efficiency, the volume of coal needed is substantially less, too.

How much is a coal forge?

For a forge cost, theoretically, you can pay as little or as much as you want for a blacksmithing forge. At the lowest price point of $50, you can create your own DIY forge with dirt and a pipe. The mid-range price point runs at about $400. The best quality forges can be over $1,000.

What burns hotter charcoal or coal?

Coal is not very easy to light up, but after lighting, it burns for a longer time and burns hotter than charcoal. Charcoal is natural to light up but doesn’t burn as hot as coal. It also does not burn for a longer time. But coal is very efficient in producing a high amount of heat.

Is a coal or propane forge better?

Propane is very easily obtained and has the advantage of being portable, cleaner, and hotter than coal and charcoal. Most small forges will need a single propane torch to work metal, but may need to have two burners to properly forge weld.

How hot can a charcoal forge get?

More or less air will decrease the temperature. This means that the maximum temperature of a coal fire in a forge is about 3,500°F (1′927°C).

Is blacksmithing an expensive hobby?

Blacksmithing costs between $2,000 to $5,000 to start. It’s a great hobby, but it can be a bit pricey. You need an anvil, hammers, a forge, tongs, vices, safety gear, and the right clothing before you begin. You will need a used metal or new steel.

What is the best forge for beginners?

Overall, the best blacksmith forges for beginners are the Hell’s Forge HF2 burner, the Majestic Forget 2 Burner Deluxe, and the Atlas Mini forge.

1. Hell’s Forge HF2 Burner. If there was a single forge I could recommend, it’s the Hell’s Forge.
2. Majestic Burner Knifemaker Deluxe. Source: Majestic Forges.
3. Atlas Knifemaker Forge.

What is the easiest metal to forge?

Copper is a great material to forge, it will stay mallable for a long time and heat easily. Any type of mild steel forges well, and are available everywhere. High carbon steel for knives and tools are also generally available in the form of leave spring, coil springs, plow discs.