Laynne

Thanks for the tips. Right now I have a 80 bushel hog feeder about 90 percent full of charcoal I have made from pallets and stove screenings. The container above the fire is interesting. Some of the volatiles would probably start cooking off? I can see campfire forging getting pretty warm, definitely want to do that in the winter.

Laynne

Some more thoughts. I had just about given up on hardwood charcoal. I used it with a bottom blast with good results except for how much I used. Since going to a side blast not so much. Too muddy to cut wood this morning so I fired up the forge. I was cranking along without a lot of heat, then Glenn's words hit me "air makes the fire hotter". Cranked a little faster and there it was. Now with the pallets I am able to get, and the coals I save from the stove, I don't see having a fuel problem.

Laynne

I'm sure I will find more uses as I go along.

I got the old pipe vise freed and cleaned up. A one inch bar fit between the lower jaws and I replaced the upper with a piece of 3/8s plate. I'm going to give it a try for a twisting vise.

Laynne

I keep seeing posts stating that charcoal is expensive. I have been at this for a year and a half and haven't bought a lump of charcoal yet. I am able to get pallets free and make my own. I understand if you live in an urban area there are regulations on open burning. Wood burning stoves and fireplaces are a source of charcoal. If you don't have one you probably know someone who does. I took some quarter inch screen and made a sieve to sift the ashes out. Maybe this will be of use to some maybe not.

Laynne

8 hours ago, ThomasPowers said:

It should be described in "The Complete Modern Blacksmith"

Page 100 in my copy. Lots of info in the book. I would recommend reading it.

Laynne

Hand Forging and Wrought-Iron Ornamental Work by Thomas F. Googerty has some illustrations.

3 hours ago, ThomasPowers said:

still waiting on a crew sufficiently touched

Count me in.

What Glenn said and welcome aboard.

Semper Fi

Thanks for the info. They would definitely be a challenge to work with. Glad they are good for something.

What about sickle section guards? I think they are drop forged, are they good for anything?

I have been using the buzz saw like that for a couple of years. Not for the faint of heart.

I am going to go ahead and get it but I think I will use it in the driveway. It is some vile stuff. I had to tear my fire bowl apart and turn all of the bricks 180 from the fire they were so coated with clinker.

Thanks for the input.

Step 1 in my charcoal process.

$25. The 30 gallon drum will be the burner for my charcoal operation. The vise is soaking. Just have to see how long it takes to free it up.

Thanks, I'll give it a shot. I think it is mostly the sweepings from the bottom of the bin. I will know more when I clean out the fire bowl. Little bit of a learning curve having only used charcoal. That nasty smoke should run some of the wasps and carpenter bees out of the shed.

My daughter told me the building she works in has some coal in the basement, was I interested. I got a sample to try.

Most of what I got went through a quarter inch screen, pretty fine. I started the fire with charcoal and started adding coal. I was expecting anthracite but to my surprise I get a thick cloud of gray smoke going up the stack just like in JLPs video. It took a while to get get to forging temp. I figured this is because of the coking process and will be quicker with coke to start with next fire.

When wetting the fines, can they be formed say in an old ice cube tray for later use? Is it better to make a putty consistency as it will be used? Last question, there is about 200 gallons of this stuff is it worth the trouble? Oh, it's free.

Thanks in advance,

Laynne

I have been on the forum for about a year and a half now so I guess it's time to introduce myself. Honestly I just found this section a couple of weeks ago.

I was raised in South West Missouri in an old house with four rooms and a path. The good old days? Joined the Marines in 1978 got out in 1982.

We moved to Kansas in 1988 and our current home in 1999.

Medically retired from the Kansas Army National Guard in 2013.

I am having a blast learning this craft/trade. I have no illusion of making a living at, just making stuff for the house and friends and family.

I would like to hear from other smiths in Kansas.

Thanks to all who participate on here and the knowledge shared.

Laynne Burnett 

If you haven't read the JABOD threads, I recommend you do so. Double action bed inflators are popular for charcoal because you are only feeding air when you need it, not when you are at the anvil. It will save on fuel.

Looks like too much air. If the hair dryer is connected to the pipe disconnect it and just point it at the pipe. It more than likely won't need to be pointed directly at it for adequate air. Play with it and see what works best for you.

I started with hardwood charcoal but have switched to mostly soft wood from pallets. I get fewer fire flies, less ash, and I don't notice any difference in burn rate. If you aren't already making charcoal check out the threads on different methods. Lots of good information here.

Yes sir I suppose it would. I hadn't considered that. Making charcoal 10 to 15 gallons at a time it's not a big deal. 

I use charcoal but it would work for coal. I finally put an old hog feeder back to work. Took off the feeder ring and built a drop and put legs on it. I know way more about how they are put together than I ever wanted to.

I have not used coal so I can't speak to that. 

Like Thomas says the design makes the difference. I was able to cut charcoal consumption by sixty percent or more when I went to side blast. I have a more consistent sweet spot therefore I get more done.

I will throw mine out there. It's made from the business end of a wood splitting wedge.

Sorry, I meant pallets for making charcoal. I think there is a group in Wichita, you might check with them. 

Nice looking vise.