MikePierich
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Posts posted by MikePierich
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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 -
Forge grate burning up
in Solid Fuel Forges
Posted
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.