Tried a coal forge for the first time after using gas for 3 years, night and day difference

I always figured coal was just messy and old school, but man was I wrong about the heat control. Got to use a buddy's forge in his shop outside Nashville last weekend and the steel just moved different. That coal fire hit a sweet spot where the metal stayed hot longer between hammer strikes, no constant adjusting of gas valves. I'm seriously thinking about switching, but the mess factor has me torn. Anyone here made the swap and regretted it?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_amy11d ago

Honestly, did you find the heat control was actually easier once you got the hang of the coal bed, or was it still a pain to manage the fire? Tbh, the mess is the only thing holding me back too, but I've heard a good forge hood and a shop vac can handle most of the soot if you stay on top of it. Ngl, that longer heat soak between hammer hits you mentioned is a huge deal for cleaner welds and less trips to the anvil.

the_emery11d ago

Nah, I'd rather deal with gas any day, coal is just too much headache for me.

joel_martinez11d ago

Got a forge hood rigged from an old water heater tank and it catches most of the crap before it hits the walls. The shop vac is my best friend in that shop, swear I run it every 15 minutes. Heat control clicked for me when I stopped fussing with the fire and just let it do its thing while I worked the metal. Still have days where I end up with a face full of smoke and soot, but that's usually when I'm trying to work too fast. The longer heat soak is definitely worth the extra mess, especially for welding.