Switched to a coal forge after 5 years with propane and wish I'd done it sooner

I used to think propane was the only way to go for consistent heat, but after a demo at a shop in Nashville last fall, I tried a hand-cranked coal forge. The control over the fire's sweet spot is way better for forging leaf springs and Damascus billets. Has anyone else made the switch and noticed a difference in their weld quality?

3 comments

3 Comments

juliagonzalez16d ago

Coal forges keep secrets better than propane ever could.

patricia4216d ago

A coal forge just hits different for welding, no doubt about it. The heat is more consistent once you get the hang of the fire management. It's a solid upgrade if you're doing a lot of billet work.

christopher95216d ago

Hold on a second, I don't know if I buy the hype. I've been running propane for the last 8 years and my damascus welds come out clean every time. It's just a matter of getting your flux right and watching your heats. A coal forge adds all this extra work with tending the fire and dealing with clinkers and smoke. I've seen guys at hammer-ins get frustrated because their coal fire got too hot in one spot and burned a billet edge. Seems like more hassle than it's worth for maybe a 5% difference in weld quality if that.