Coal in Sydney

[Gadge]

Are there any Aussie blacksmiths out there who can tell me where I could buy coke in Sydney. I've been using a gas forge for a few years but want to forge weld, so need a coke forge.

Thanks in advance,
Gadge

[rmcpb]

Gadge,

I use coal from the Clarence Colliery. I just rang and followed the recorded prompts and finally got onto a human.

Got a trailer load, normally they sell by the truck load at least but they were really helpful.

Not much help if you really want coke but you sure can coke this stuff and it burns REALLY clean.

Good luck

[Ironlord Oz]

G'day Gadge,
The only place I know of to get coke in NSW is Wollongong. The Illawarra Coke Co. is their name. I got a trailer load from them in May. Like everything else the price keeps going up, last time I checked it was $520+gst a tonne & you want to get "pebble" coke (under 25mm). Hope this helps!
Wayne

[Frosty]

Welcome aboard Gadge.

Can't forge weld with propane? Do you know what the problem is? I have no or I should say, minimum problems welding with propane.

If you'll click on "User CP" at the top of the page and edit your profile to show your location you won't have to keep reminding us old farts, we forget most things pretty quickly you know.

Frosty

[Gadge]

Thanks Frosty,

I've edited my User CP. It now says Sydney, Australia. As for propane, I suppose I don't get enough heat inside my single burner forge. I might make a smaller forge and experiment.

Gadge

[Frosty]

Thank you Gadge, my brain is too old and ossified to strain if I can prevent it.

If you were to describe your forge and burner maybe we could help remedy the problem.

Volume, refractory type, general shape, burner size and type are good for a start.

The things aren't very complicated but there are some basics that have to be right.

Frosty

[rmcpb]

For comparison I paid $132 inc GST for a tonne of coal.

[R W]

Charcoal appears to be available.Have a look at yellow.com.au - Keyword Search type in
Charcoal NSW, phoned two places that came up, said they sell to blacksmiths, it is
expensive.

[tex]

If you don't mind a drive there is a landscape/building supplies place just outside Lithgow on the road to Mudgee that sells coal. Next time i am out that way i will get the name and number of the place

[IanR]

If you don't want to buy a whole trailer load there is a firewood seller in Canyonleigh in the Southern Highlands who sells coke by the bag. Last time I bought some it was About $16 a 30Kg bag It's a smaller size coke suitable for forging.