Jonah Lee

2 hours ago, JHCC said:

Jonah, unless you're specifically referencing something in an image that cannot be adequately described, you shouldn't include images in what you quote. 

Are you refering to the picture of my forge? If so, i did give specs a couple time throughout the discussion. If not sorry!

2 hours ago, Charles R. Stevens said:

Hard coal will crackle, load the big peices on the sides or top of your fire, letting green coal get into the hot spot will make any water make steam and explode. If using nut instead of rice coal feeding the big peices from the outside gives it a chance to dry out and then I night and it will break down into smaller peices.

Right, i switched from nut coal to a slightly smaller size that ranges from an inch to an inch and a half in size. But thanks!

Ok thank you so much, this helped a lot and although its sleeting at the current time, ill give this a spin tomorrow!

Thanks!!!

2 hours ago, Stash said:

Jonah- I don't know what you're paying for anthracite, but bitum is going for $8.50 to 12 per 50# in Lancaster and surrounding.

Right, i pay $22 for 240 pounds roughly. It lasts a bunch longer and burns hot! Thanks for the idea, i truly appreciate it!

Hey thanks for the suggestion, but im mainly concerned about cost. Unless they sell is super cheap i dont think i will convert to the soft stuff, but thanks for letting me know!

7 hours ago, ThomasPowers said:

"flying apart" sounds like way too strong an air blast!

Haha i meant that the coal bursts and crackles shards into the air

8 hours ago, JHCC said:

You are pushing the coal horizontally, from outside the fire towards the middle.

Thanks again for a very functional explanation if any more questions arise ill be sure to ask you do i just kinda shove my piece under the bed of coals piled ontop of the fire pot? I usually push the piece down from the top of the fire as a whole.

Thanks

So should i be pushing the coal down. Towards the air inlet or just to to middle of the pile of burning coal? I found i had the coal fly apart when i tried pushing it near the middle of the pile.

Done! I just finished.

12 hours ago, Charles R. Stevens said:

The curmudgians will make sure you get an old school education.

Yeah the stuff i find here will be applied atleast haha

Thank you so much! And thanks to all who replied, i definitly learned something more valuable than whats taught in schools. Thanks again!

Thanks ill keep this in mind

As i said before, its 8x10" and its 4 inches deep. Its also lined with fire brick.

21 hours ago, Charles R. Stevens said:

Adrocite cracks and pops like charcoal, try backing off the air, make sure you have sufficient deapth and a bit more piled on top. Like Glenn said, give us a picture and specks on your forge

Sure thing, i have a bottom blast forge that is lined with fire brick that has an 8"x10" top tapering to the air inlet, 4 inches deep and all attached to a table with castors (just a note: i dont know how to post pictures on here yet so a description is the only thing i can give at the moment).

Yep, thanks i truly appreciate it!

Got it thanks, this definitly help when i went out to the anvil just now, less burns on my arms now thanks

So if you dont mind me asking, can you go more in depth on this concept of "pushing it in"?

Hey guys,

I have been using anthricite coal to heat stock and i really like it! Except for the fact that when i add new coal, the stuff pops and crackles and  throws bits everywhere, and leaves a bit of a mess. Is there any way to avoid this from happening? I can manage the clinkers and avoid hollow fires, But does anyone know how to "safely" add new anthricite to stop or reduce the popping??

Thanks for any input!

Jonah Lee