Aubrey

Thanks Steve. So would it come out homogenous mixed as a powder in canister damascus? With a carbon additive?

I browsed thru some of the topics here, so I apologize if I missed where this topic belongs... I have been reading on and watching some material on Canister Damascus and a little here and there on classical crucible steel; which leads me to a question I have been unable to find a definitive answer to... Can you throw all that messy scale into a crucible, or a canister, with a little charcoal to create steel? Has anyone tried this? I found this link only filled with a bunch of scientific greek that I simply can't follow. www.hindawi.com/journals/jm/2015/926028/

I second that thanks! Dave's video was insightful, and I'm still in the process of watching Al's. Al, I noticed the guy tending the fire seems to have been pretty busy doing it. Was this much work on the fire actually needed or was he working the corn around in a bid to get it all coked up? I ask only because it makes me wonder how well the fire does for those couple of minutes each heat you're away from it.

Thanks for the advice Frosty! No I wasnt planning to buy another one. 2's a crowd they say. I'll step up the size of the tuyere first. Probably 1 inch. So the firepot...for a 1 inch tuyere is there a rule of thumb for firepot dimensions? Charles R. Stevens posted some drawings some time ago on tuyere sizes but if it had anything on pot dimensions I missed it. Or does the firepot matter only in relation to the size of work?

Okay I'll do that. The problem with the bigger blower is that it's A LOT bigger. 140cfm to 43 bigger. Lol experimentation is exactly what I'm about, before I go into a major forge build. I appreciate all the input. I'll throw some pics at ya'll when I'm able to. I'm sure that'll help.

Dave HojPoj and JHHC...and anyone else. I just realized my phrase about controlling the air blast wasnt clear. Apologies. No, I have a damper on the blower so maybe control isnt the issue. It didnt seem like enough air was getting to the fire. I was able to maintain a hotspot about the size of a large apple and that was barely hot enough to forge with. I suspect this had something to do with the half inch pipe as Dave mentioned.

Yes makes perfect sense. So I dont need a high volume blower then? I have one but haven't used it yet...

Thanks Dave. I'll start now if that's alright. Lol Last night I threw together a small JABOD with a small side blast 1/2 inch tuyre and a small squirrel-cage blower (43 cfm I think). The corn coked up nicely, and stuck together forming larger chunks. I realize a half inch is pretty small, but would that be the source of the issues I had controlling air flow? Or would I require something that can push air at a little pressure? It seems (is it called water pillar?) that kind of air would blow the kernels up out of the fire. Anyway, I'm trying a few different things to try and figure out a good firepot design.

Hey there Dave! Thank you for the detailed thoughts. I have played with a charcoal forge but never tried to use coal. Point: you are telling me things I need to hear, that would go without saying to most others on here. I appreciate it a lot. And yes, I will be very willing to pick your brain only so long as you're willing to answer...especially like this. Thanks again.

Man that is awesome! I mean if it is a good source, (which it seems to be in theory) I dont have to worry about fuel costs at all! My day job is 99% corn. How deep a firepot do you need to burn corn? I can see a side blast being a good choice considering the "coals" size, but...? What would your thoughts be?

Okay so what is a good moisture in the corn for a good burn? Dryers are used to reduce moisture levels and the elevators around here normally won't take corn with 18% to 20% moisture. Does 12 to 15% sound about right to burn? Or does it need to be more dry than that?

Menchelment, have you tired charcoal in this forge? Could anyone fill in a noob on whether charcoal would work well in it?

I can get "blackmith's" coal and coke from a place in Amarillo. Seems to be a good price since its basically the only place I've found in three years of looking within 2 hours' drive from me. But truth be told I couldnt tell you the brand stamped on those bags or the btu rating, or really what exactly btu ratings are good/bad. But I will soon enough.

A lot of good info here everybody; I really appreciate it. "JABOD" is not an acronym I'm familiar with but the forge I looked up is interesting. Not exactly what I am looking to do though. I can find coal and charcoal relatively close to where I live, and would like to be able to use both efficiently based on the day's convenience.

I'm pretty new at the blacksmithing play, and loving it. I have a good propane forge that I built but I am wanting the selective heating of solid fuel, so here is my newbie question: Is it possible/advisable to use both charcoal and coal in the same forge design? I've read that charcoal burns clean but fast and hot, and notice it also likes to pop and throw spark showers a lot. Any advice would be much appreciated.