MikePierich

Thanks, good diagram. Confirms that I need to heap the fire up higher because I was having to place the work on the diagonal like it shows there. Good point about the edges of the grate. I have no issue with ash buildup in the pipe, for some reason. At the end of a several-hour session there's almost none in there, let alone enough to build up and clog the inlet. I assume the small holes keep all the coarse stuff from falling thru, and the blower sends the fine ash up thru the fire.

Holy moly...depending on the grade you could make a mint in some areas. The house coal we get is well over $200/ton now delivered.

Interesting, thanks. I should show that to my coal guy. He'd probably roll his eyes and spit a wad of snuff...

Way cool, thanks. I'll put that on my calendar. I'm thinking the anthracite might not get as hot since the bituminous coal probably burns faster - like the difference between burning pine and oak. Less btu's but faster heat. I also think my fire is mostly oxygen-rich. I left a couple of files in there for a while and they burnt up like firewood...which would require oxygen as in a cutting torch. I think for the time being I'll pile up my coal to get it as high as I can, that way there'll be more of a sweet zone in the middle to bury the workpiece in. I might also increase the depth of the pot by adding steel around the rim. Thanks to all you guys for all your help.

Thanks Drewed.

Oh OK, now I can see your pix. Good idea with the firebuilding to get clumps - I'll try that too. Would solve the grate problem - sounds like an art that will take a few attempts to learn. Thanks. What do you guys think about the raised fire to spread the airflow to get a wider fire?

Thanks Dave. I see you're in PA - what part? I'm in anthracite country but I think they have the bituminous out around Pittsburgh. I'll look around for some chunk bituminous here. Obviously I'm using the hard rice because I have a whole bin full of it for the house, but if the other stuff is available nearby I'll definitely try it.

Here are some pix. I call it "Riceburner" because it's a Honda wheel and...it burns rice coal. Pretty simple design... Original bottom of the pot was level with the air hole. I added the 6" steel ring to provide a plenum to spread the airflow to a larger area. Figured I'd get a wider fire that way. The 1/8" mild steel grate used to be round...sort of. The edges of it burnt when I had the fire right on top of it. I raised the fire with this steel mesh (plasterer's lath) - it has the right opening to keep the rice coal from falling thru. It lasts for maybe 1-1//2 firings before it vaporizes. It's cheap so I could continue to replace it every time I fire, but a 6" cast iron grate might be good if its openings will hold the rice coal.

I didn't say it was dust...around these parts rice coal is about 1/4" - 3/8" (see post w/pics below). I'll try the wetting thing, that didn't occur to me; but of course it won't be doing any coking or clumping until get the fire going. Thanks.

That's a good idea...I should be able to get one to fit the 6" well casing perfectly. As long as it doesn't have holes bigger than 1/4" or so it should work. Thanks.

Thanks Glen. Like i said, I'm using rice-size coal so a rod or two won't cut it - needs to be a fine opening to retain the fuel. If I can get a larger size coal by the bag I might try that. Good to know that your pipe burns a bit too, so it must not be unusual. Maybe I can stick a sleeve into my pipe opening and let that burn up - easily replaced. I did not see a photo attached to your post. I'll try to post photos of mine tomorrow. Thanks again.

Thanks for the info, Herb!

Hi, I built a coal forge from a Honda car rim. Used 3" steel pipe and a hair dryer for air. I'm using rice-sized hard coal for fuel (my home heating fuel). I cut a 4" round piece out of 1/8" mild steel and drilled it full of small holes for a grate, and just laid it on the air inlet (hub) hole in the wheel. I put spent coal ash around the hole, built up to the level of the grate, for the fuel to set on. The grate is being burnt up. I added a 1" high ring of 6" diameter steel well casing around the small grate, put plaster's wire lath (steel mesh) over that to provide a wider air spread and keep the fire away from the small grate (and further built up the cold ash bed to the top of the ring) - but of course the steel mesh burnt up as well. Am I doing something wrong? I had assumed that the cool air supply would keep the heat going upwards and prevent the grate from burning - but no such luck. Could it be the size coal? I imagine nut coal would leave more air spaces and perhaps keep the fire from being so much in contact with the grate. I can post pics tomorrow morning if needed. Thanks in advance. Mike

Thanks for the welcome, gentlemen. I'm in central PA (USA). I'll add that to my profile - thanks for the tip. It would be interesting to see the work done in the flesh. Thanks again.

Joined up last week, neglected to introduce myself. I'm getting back into knifemaking as a hobby (did some 30 years ago). Just built a small coal forge (steel Honda wheel on legs, hair dryer air supply). Anyhow, looking forward to interacting. Mike

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