Glenn

hdwarner, it is a language problem. Different crafts have their own vocabulary that needs explained sometimes. Coke to a blacksmith is the black stuff that burns well. When you buy a ton of coke and pass out samples "of the good stuff" to your friends, the cops get all excited. They test your samples and find out your coke is better / different / not the same as they expected.

Please take lots of photos. I can set up a folder for them in the gallery.

This test is from Horizon Laboratories in Price, Utah. Date Sampled: 3/17-3/23 of 2008 Sample Identification: BYU Stoker at Wildcat. Analysis Report #: 69383 As Received Basis: % Moisture 3.33 % Ash 9.87 % Sulfur 0.45 BTU/Lb 12717 Dry Basis: % Moisture ----- % Ash 10.21 % Sulfur 0.47 BTU/Lb 13155

Anthracite blacksmithing coal from eastern PA 2008 Dry Specs: Size: Pea 3/16 x 9/16 or Nut Moisture: 5.49% (as received) Ash: 9.58% Sulfur: .59% BTU/lb: 13,451 BTU/lb: 14,876 (dry, ash-free) Volatile Matter: 4.36% Fixed Carbon: 95.17% (dry, ash-free) Ash Fusion Temp: 2,700 F Lbs sulfur per million BTU's: 0.44

From the Pocahontas #3 seam, mined in SE West Virginia. 2008 As Received Specs: Size: Pea 1 x 3/8 or Nut 2" Moisture: 1.48% Ash: 7.12% Sulfur: .75% BTU/lb: 14,373 BTU/lb: 15,724 (dry, ash-free) Volatile Matter: 18.63% Fixed Carbon: 79.62% (dry ash-free) Free Swelling Index (Coke Button): 9 Lbs sulfur per million BTU: 0.52 Coal analysis report by Geochemical Testing, Somerset, PA.

Let's start a thread on coal BTU and analysis so we can compare numbers. We need the analysis, the coal seam, the mine, and the date. Coal, to many people, is a black rock that sometimes can be burned. To a blacksmith, it is the fuel used in the forge to heat the metal, and comes in two varieties, good and bad. "Good coal" produces high heat, little ash, little clinkers (slag) and makes life so much easier. Bad coal is fussed at, cussed at, and generally returned to the earth as landfill (thrown away). Ash: impurities consisting of silica, iron, alumina, and other incombustible matter, left over when coal is burned. Low Sulfur: sulfurs typically analyzed are Pyritic, Sulfate, and Organic BTU: the heating value, determined in terms of Btu both on an as received basis (including moisture) and on a dry basis. Calorific value: expressed in Btu/lb on a dry basis Good coal for blacksmithing is low ash, low sulfur, high BTU coal of a usable size for the forge. The numbers suggested for good coal are less than 7% ash, less than 1% sulfur and above 14,000 Calorific Value in BTU's. These are not hard numbers but guidelines. Available analysis shows ash content of coals listed from 3.7% to 22.4% ash, sulfur from 0.4% to 3.3% , and BTU's from 8,467 BTU's to 15,500 BTU's Calorific Value. Analysis from one sample of this coal from the Penn State coal sample database. Type : Low Volatile Bituminous (lvb) State: WV Ash : 7.44% Sulfur: 0.64% BTU :14542 Volatile : 15.70% Carbon: 92.42% Reflectance: 1.8 Seam : Pocahontas No. 3, Reference: There is a Pocahontas No. 3 in Virginia that has 15,006 BTU, and a Pocahontas No. 3 in West Virginia that has 13,953. Pocahontas No. 3 coal is not all the same due to the way it was formed. You have to look at the analysis to be sure what you are getting, is what you want. The analysis is usually available from the coal company when buying coal. BP0051 Good Coal

In order to find out a little more about the Mankel anvils I call Mr. Mankel this evening. He is now 72 years old and still working blacksmithing. This month he produced 1100 dock hooks, and man hole cover hooks. He still makes a few knives from time to time. He started as a farrier in 1956. In 1967 started making Mankel gas forges. People would see his forges, and asked where they could buy an anvil. In 1969 he started making anvils. First ones anvils from 1969 to 1973 were ductile iron. They were a 95 pound anvil with a hollow base. In 1973 they went to 4130 steel and made a 95 pound anvil with a hollow base. In 1978 they went to 8630 steel with 70 pound, and a 95 pound. They produced a 115 pound that was 1 inch longer overall than the 95 pound anvil and had a filled base, giving it the extra weight. All the records got burned in a fire in 1987. They also produced a 130 pound blacksmith anvil made from 8630 steel and a 160 pound horseshoers pattern with clip on. The 70 pound anvils were best sellers for a while then at the end 130 pound were the best sellers. He quit making anvils in 2005 and the last sales were in 2006. Only the 130 pound anvils were numbered. Those after 1985 had the year of manufacture stamped on the feet. He said he used to rebuild old anvils but not the Mouse Hole anvils. He said you never knew if they would fall apart or not when heated. This was from being forge welded with a sledge hammer or being constructed, the horn welded on to the body etc. He still works in his blacksmith shop using two different anvils, one a Mankel and the other a 117 pound Hay-Budden. He said he was glad to provide the information. You could tell it brought a smile to his face knowing his anvils were still in use today.

There are some 600 Blueprints on file. If you made a project or tool or jig each week, by the time your finished, you should have a well equipped shop. BP0408 Triangle Bell is very easy and is appreciated in many kitchens. It includes the neat bending jig that can be used on other projects. BP0318 Campfire Tripods is another easy project, good for hanging soup pots as well as flower pots. BP0525 Wavy Flower Pot Stand may be of interest.

Look st the IForgeIron > Blueprints BP0152 Hinge Eye Bender BP0218 Split work Hinges BP0224 Hinge Barrel Eyes BP0225 Unconventional Hinges BP0268 Unconventional Hinges for a Small Box There may be others

GS0003 Blacksmithing Groups

True prices for anvils --> click here

If you want to send condolences to his wife and daughter, here's their address: Maria Habermann Am Stiftungswald 3/8 A - 3341 Ybbsitz AUSTRIA

Blueprints on armour making are encouraged. (hint - hint)

BP0444 Cold Forming Armor or a Bowl BP0445 Cold Forming Armor or a Bowl 2 BP0039 Candle Pans and Cups

I know a couple of people with this problem and with careful dedication to watching what they eat, they have been able to adapt. There are products out there that are gluten free. An internet search may provide additional information and even a support group. Give her your support and our best wishes.

You may want to be sure the "period hardware" you measure was the original hardware. It may be that several years from now, someone will be measuring YOUR hardware in order to make hinges for THEIR project, because it is "period hardware".

A blacksmith while at work? You need a long day working at the forge to appreciate the comment.

Nett, thank you for an obvious answer. Somehow the rest of us overlooked it.

Put 3 inches of good ole Kentucky clay in the bottom of the fire pot and save your money. Take a piece of angle iron and attach (drill and bolt or hot punch holes and rivet) a hardie post. Then touch the vertical leg with a grinder to sharpen it. Your a blacksmith, make the tool. Lots of ways to skin a cat, choose one that works for you. As Rich Hale said, use the search engine. I found 3 Blueprints on the subject, so that is 4 ideas.

Our condolences to the Haberman family.

Tim, he is in NY NOW teaching classes !!

dothacker You are on your own there, I can provide the wild goose, but it is up to your to chase it. (grin).

Hammerkid, I store my coal under a wheelborrow. The good stuff is in 55 gallon drums (5 drums per ton) and next to the dog's house with a piece of tin as a cover. Dog keeps a watch over the good coal (grin).

Hancock Shaker Village Hancock Shaker Village 1843 W. Housatonic St. Pittsfield, MA 01201 (proceed to parking lot approx. 1/2 mile further west on Rt. 20) Sat. May 3 2008 Heritage Metal Festival, 4th Annual Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum, Bridge St, Willimantic, Ct, 9am-5pm, A Day of Metalsmithing Demonstrations, including Blacksmithing, Pewtersmithing, Engraving, and Others. For more information: Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum August 16 &17, 2008 Hancock Shaker Village 15th Annual Age of Iron Weekend Come see the iron men and women who demonstrate the art of blacksmithing and metal work. Forges and workshops will be set up around the historic Village for family activities and opportunities for you to try your hand at being the "Village 'Smithy". Co-sponsored with the Berkshire Blacksmith's Association. Atlantic Coast Blacksmith Conference The Ashokan Center, Olivebridge, NY September 4,5,6 & 7, 2008 GS0003 Blacksmithing Groups I do not see anything listed in Ma. but there are folks on the site from that area that could help you locate something. Connecticut Blacksmith's Guild Two events in your town, the one in NY maybe a bit of a drive.

Thomas, you are not suppose to hoard the coal, you suppose to use it. (grin) Remember the "Y" rule - S0010 The "Y" Rule