Neighbors and coalsmoke

[steve sells]

Originally Posted by tetnum

an alternate option is to go the route i was forced to and use a scrubber i have used mine for about a year and have had no problems


scrubber

One problem with using a scrubber: Fed. Law requires ALL scrubbers be inspected (not cheap) on a regular basis, and the waste water from your scrubber is Legally controlled for HAZ MAT disposal by the EPA, and that is also a HIGH fee.

The cost for those two issues tells me let the smoke go, there was a very long thread about this a while back. You seriously could be looking at jail time if not in compliance with these EPA regs. .

No Joke

[bipolarandy]

Dan, try to find some high grade Coke, coke doesn't give off smoke and makes very little or no ash and clinker.
I worked with a coal forge in the middle of Kenmore (a very dense village) , my neighbors were so close I could here them sneeze. Anyway, I forged there for a couple years and never had one question. Just don't go telling everyone what your doing in that garage... or you could open up a can of worms. And beware, most small towns and villages have a noise ordinance, I know in kenmore it kicked in at 10pm and started at like 9am.

[bipolarandy]

Originally Posted by tetnum

an alternate option is to go the route i was forced to and use a scrubber i have used mine for about a year and have had no problems


scrubber

Iv seen small and large size scrubbers in action (small as in cleaning a hole buildings air), and i think its a bit more complex than a 55gal drum filled with water.

[evfreek]

Hi. Yes, that above post is correct. One of my neighbors went to jail over dumping hazardous waste into the municipal drain system from garage shop operations. It seemed that some nosy neighbor turned him in. You never know who it is going to be .

I have a neighbor who operates a coal forge in a pretty dense (duplex and apartment complex) area. He generates a lot of thick smoke. When the smoke gets really heavy over the neighborhood, the neighbors start dropping by to see if they can get in a few licks. This fellow is really friendly and has beer and snacks available, and he has a true teaching spirit. Nobody ever complains. He also has a little MIG welder and he helps neighbors with repairs and stuff. Whenever I smell coal smoke in the neighborhood, I don't think of complaining, I think "I'd rather be forging."

[jimmy seale]

well,i live in a subdivision and out side the town limits. but i try to be courteous, let them sleep in on weekends and not stay up too late.i too burn coal,and some has string of sulphur in it,but no complaints yet. you may have a few small things to pass out as a peace token to them.and as far as the junkie in you,good luck. maybe save a little bit of coal and take a hit off it now and then, just to get ya by, best of luck,hope all works out. jimmy

[ddan7]

You could always just forge at night

[LDW]

I start my fires with three large pieces of newspaper. Stack them then start in the middle crumpling them up so it looks kind of like a mushroom. Light the bottom then set it in the forge , put your coke that was leftover from your last fire around the edges but leave the center open till its all burning good, then start working your green coal into the fire. This will keep from having that zero visibility smoke screen.

[Dan OHare]

Thanks for all the great replies but I think I'll skip the jail part!
Looks like if I'm going to stay with real fire that it's going to have to be with charcoal despite the flea circus and cost. With an electric blower constantly running I'd be doing nothing but feeding the fiire the whole time because charcoal gets consumed so much faster but with a hand cranked blower that won't be so bad.
I think I'll just have to learn to gauge when I can get away with burning coal and during the colder months that should be easier since everyone's windows will be closed then and generally it gets dark about 4:00 p.m.
Peace offerings should gain me some mileage here too.
Thanks! Dan

[Glenn]

Look at a smaller fan to supply air to the forge and a on/off switch for the fan. No use burning charcoal with a hurricane force wind when your not using the fire.

Try building a *boy scout* fire with sticks from the yard or wood kindling. Then add in the coal little at a time so the fire consumes the smoke. A forge hood and a tall chimney helps dilute any remaining smoke. With careful fire maintenance, build small hot fires, and you should be able to keep the smoke to a minimum.

[bipolarandy]

Why cant you buy coke Dan?