Jmsprad

I don't know if this helps or if anyone has mentioned it. I believe the bags of rice coal are wet inside is because they spray it with water to keep the dust down. That's what the Amish folks told my Pop. He uses it for heating his house. He purchased four pallets and I think it's  50 bags per pallet. So far everyone is wet. 

Swedefiddle you're 100% correct bud. All the research in the world won't give you               experience. The reason I was gonna go with coal is that my Pop burns rice coal for heat. So I figured I'd buy a couple bags from him and try it out. After visiting the " solid fuel forge" section last night I saw an awesome idea for building a coal forge, which I'm gonna start on next week. I recon it is a whole lot more fun doing it and screwing up, than just continuing researching and not actually doing it. I appreciate the kick in the shorts to get me going. I also love the use of the word "rubbish". I'm gonna have to incorporate that here in the South. Take care bud. 

Well let me start by saying I mean no disrespect. It's just how I talk. I call everyone bud. If you're offended by the term bud I don't know what to tell you. Maybe toughen up a little bit. People get offended over everything, and want everyone to be politically correct. That is not me. I treat the everyone with respect, but I call it as I see it. So if the way I talk offends you; well maybe it's not me bud.

Sincerly Your Bud

I really appreciate the info bud. Seems like I haven't done nowhere near enough research yet. I will definitely look for those books and checkout the solid fuel forge. I'm glad I stumbled across this site. It's nice being able to correspond with people with experience. Thanks again bud. 

So far all I've got is a disire to get into Blacksmithing, more towards knife making. I've done right much research and have and idea on how I want to build my forge. I was thinking about making my own firebricks. And building the form for them so they will interlock so I can dry fit them together so it's easier to replace the cracked ones. The firebrick recipe is 1 part by volume Perlite, 2 pt by vol Fireclay (refractory clay), 1 pt by vol Sand( Silica, pure as possible), 1 pt by vol Ash, 1 pt by vol Portland Cement. 

I read that coal ash is the best type of ash to use to make firebricks. Has anyone tried to make their own bricks? Or does anyone have any    suggestions? I appreciate any feedback. 

Hopefully this forum is not closed for good. I live in Nottoway County and I am interested in Blacksmithing more towards knife making. I've been doing a lot of research but that's as far as I have gotten. It would be great to be able to     actually be able to pick someone's brain in person and see how involved it is.