AJAX Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 I am deciding wither or not to make a gas forge or a coal/charcoal forge. I like the idea of a solid fuel forge, but I have no idea where to get coal, nor how much it costs. I also have no training working with a coal forge, only on gas. I kind of know how to make charcoal but I don't think my neighbors or my local fire department would appreciate me making the stuff on the weekends. I would like to know where you guys get your coal and how much it cost roughly if you can. I would also like to know how long that coal lasts. Propane is available where i live, but its pretty expensive so coal is my solution, but if i can't find any in the area i'll have to go with gas. Let me know you thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spots Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 We get our coal from a local supplier. I use about a 2- 5 gallon bucket fulls a day on a good long day forging. But I'm in the coal country of East TN. There are websites online to order from, but after shipping I think its a dollar a pound. SO that would be super prohbitive since for us its $160 a ton. I would suggest a gas forge if you can't find a local, reasonably priced source. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmccustomknives Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Each has its advantages. For you gas is probably the best option. If your nieghbors wouldn't like you making charcoal, burning green coal will really tweak them. I don't like using charcoal because it hurts :wacko: (don't use it around flamable stuff). Coal and coke are getting harder to find, if you do happen on a reliable supply use it, otherwise gas is cleaner and available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Private Entrance Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 I pay $21.55 (including sales tax) for 50# of coal from a guy that buys by the shipping container load. In a decent afternoon (4 hours), I go through maybe 10# of coal and maybe that much again in coke, which is essentially free, since I get it from the last session's fire when i put it out. 50# of coal lasts me a pretty good while, including the coke - maybe running the forge 30-40 hours, if you count burning the coke into the equation. Ask the horse owners around you (I'm sure there are a few) who shoes their horses, then ask those guys (the farriers) where they get their supplies. Chances are good they know someone that sells coal in the area. That's how I got hooked up with my guy - he's a farrier supplier that happens to stock coal for guys like me. Compared to propane around here, coal is practically free. My guess is I'd go through a propane cylinder every couple of weeks, and they cost about $25 to fill (5 gal). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SReynolds Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 Propane is dirt cheep across the nation according to (everyday) news AND the nation is currently gearing for LPG LNG and CNG as a replacement for diesel fuel AND gasoline. That aside, with the availability and the cleanliness, I'd say gas is tops. By the way, I pay 12.00 for 50lbs of soft coal from PA.................but it sure makes a mess!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pug}{maN Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 I can get 1 tun of coal for 50 bucks. That's 5 55 gallan barrels full... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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