matto Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 Thing is it was very clean burning and we were getting 1/2" mild to welding heat. It crackles some as it heats and exspandes. We were using an old pump handle blower on a bottom blast brick forge. Some of the problem with it not coking into mass lumps of coke like you are use to is it has less impurities to burnout. Which is part of the bituminous stickiness. We stared our forges with coke and pine cones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Cochran Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 I'm glad this was posted, I had no idea tractor supply had coal. I looked and currently none in the state of Alabama have any in stock of course it's still pretty warm here. I will definitely be talking to the manager of my local store to see if he can order me some. I can't help but wonder if they can order it during the off season. If they could and would that would be a nice easy way for me to keep coal in stock since the nearest place I know is almost an hour drive and only open on weekdays while I'm at work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elemental Metal Creations Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 Thanks for the info. The web site says that my local TSC has it in stock, will be getting some this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 I've had the best luck so far in getting it lit with a little newspaper, some slivers of pine, a few lumps of hardwood charcoal, and a lot of air. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SReynolds Posted September 30, 2015 Share Posted September 30, 2015 yuck. Don't sound like ideal but to each his own you know,,,,,,,,,,hard coal that is too large. Just my opinion but I would not take it if it were free. I love the soft coal. About pea size. ideal for forges and my mentality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 30, 2015 Share Posted September 30, 2015 yuck. Don't sound like ideal but to each his own you know,,,,,,,,,,hard coal that is too large. Just my opinion but I would not take it if it were free. I love the soft coal. About pea size. ideal for forges and my mentality.Hey, if you want to drive up to Oberlin with a sack of soft coal, I won't say no. I'll even make you dinner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eriktlupus Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 I use this type of coal in about a shelled walnut size. Light it with a charcoal fire and it definitely likes to be well aerated. I have a blower that throws sparklers with lump but this coal loves it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SReynolds Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Hey, if you want to drive up to Oberlin with a sack of soft coal, I won't say no. I'll even make you dinner.there is much coal just east of here (south for you) in Apple Creek and Mt Eaton. I will be getting some this weekend. If you want a bag of soft coal, it will be 15.00 delivered to you.if you desire to get it yourself, you need to take Rt 83 south to Wooster and travel East from there a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 (edited) there is much coal just east of here (south for you) in Apple Creek and Mt Eaton. I will be getting some this weekend. If you want a bag of soft coal, it will be 15.00 delivered to you.if you desire to get it yourself, you need to take Rt 83 south to Wooster and travel East from there a bit.Tempting. How big a bag? Edited October 1, 2015 by JHCC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SReynolds Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 (edited) 50 pounder sells for 12.50 there Edited October 1, 2015 by SReynolds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elemental Metal Creations Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 I actually prefer soft coal over hard coal but for the price difference, $6 for 40lb vs $19 for 50lb I can suffer a bit. For me a mix of 2/3 rice and 1/3 nut size seems to work best. A couple of fire pics that my wife took, the flames didn't show in the pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Mac Posted November 15, 2015 Share Posted November 15, 2015 Technician.Austin, Thanks a bunch for posting about TS carrying the nut coal. Out here in California you have to beat the farriers to any coal available, at 28$ for 50# bituminous. Had to bite the bullet last time and payed 50$ from centaur forge, ouch. contacted a TSC in Norco Ca. And it took 2 weeks to get there but I grabbed 4 bags, 160# for 26$ . I never tried Anthracite before but for that price , can't beat it. Your post saved me money and anyone out here, there is a full pallet at the door still,( if I don't steal it first ! Grin ) happy forging y'all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 Well I went out to TS for some rubber mat to put under my wire wheel/ buffer stand, and a piece for in front of my anvil ( I liked it too, way better on the feet then concrete) and I saw they had the coal. I had to try it out so I bought 3 bags. Have to say I'm happy with the results. Seemed to burn way cleaner then what I've been using tho I did add it to my existing burning coal on the forge so I don't know how hard it would be to get started. It comes wet in the bags, don't know if I'm paying for moisture or if they just store it in the elements. Haven't had a chance to weigh the bags. Not a big deal whatsoever. The nut size is just what I like so that's a plus. And once it was burning it was nice and hot. I liked it. Might grab a bag here and there and add it to my other coal while forging. And it's deffinatly nice to know they carry it. Thanks for the heads up on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Cochran Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 I finally got some myself. I had to get my local store to special order some and had to wait on it. I ordered a bag of nut and rice size and after three weeks waiting on a phone call I called them instead. I'm unsure if the guy misunderstood me or if they decided to order some after all because they have a whole pallet of each sitting out front now. i have found it a little difficult to get started but it burns great once it's started. I had to rework my forge a little to deal with the rice size because it was cloggin up my air. Overall I'm pleased with it for the price. The next closest place to get coal is an hour away and the cost is at least double before adding the extra cost associated with the trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 Well nuts... Checked online and it seems that TSC doesn't sell it out here on the "left coast." I'll stop in at the local and see if they can order it... but I suspect it may not be "green" enough. Hope I'm wrong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtis87 Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 This thread makes me extremely jealous.... I pay around $80 for a 70lb bag of soft coal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Cochran Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 4 hours ago, Hardpan said: Well nuts... Checked online and it seems that TSC doesn't sell it out here on the "left coast." I'll stop in at the local and see if they can order it... but I suspect it may not be "green" enough. Hope I'm wrong! You should be able to get them to order you a couple bags. Being that California is the way it is I couldn't say for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumbojak Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 I'll say that have been very pleased with the anthracite I bought. Some of the nut size seems to be a little big, but spiking the mix with a bit of rice gets it to settle nicely and catch well. There is an old corn sheller at my mom's that I think I might repurpose into a coal breaker. We don't deal with grain that isn't packed in a 50lb bag, so it shouldn't be a problem to repurpose it. With any luck - and a bit of elbow grease - I should be able to resize the enormous chunks that find their way into the TSC coal into manageable, effective fuel. Then again... I may end up destroying an old tool. We will have to see how it goes. The coal is hard, but I think the sheller is up to the task. Better than going through the bag with a tack hammer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bud in PA Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 I am just starting out and if I am lucky I may actually get time to fire up my brake drum forge. I do have experience burning coal, living in PA. I have burned coal for almost 30 years. There is a size between rice and nut, it is called pea coal. I don't know if it is available every where. I burn nut coal and the last time I bought it it cost $237 a ton. In order to start a coal fire I have to get a real good wood fire going, and then add about 2 inches of coal at a time. I add about 3 to 4 layers and then I am set for most of the winter. I've got a furnace blower on my forge and will report back as soon as I make my first burn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocGP Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 New to the forums and the hobby, but seem to be hooked. Ordered a pallet of this stuff in SE Texas (we don't have coal around here), but if anyone in this area needs some I will gladly sell some at cost if they want to pick it up. Just drop me a PM. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 7 minutes ago, DocGP said: New to the forums and the hobby, but seem to be hooked. Ordered a pallet of this stuff in SE Texas (we don't have coal around here), but if anyone in this area needs some I will gladly sell some at cost if they want to pick it up. Just drop me a PM. Doc If your first post on the forum is an offer of generosity, you'll do fine. Also, if you add your location in your profile, you'll be surprised how many folks in your area will crawl out of the ironwork. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bayshore Forge Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 Originally I had designed my forge with a shop vac blowing the air. With this, the nut sized anthracite from TSC was pretty good. Nice and hot, but hard to start. Then I got a hand crank blower...it is very difficult to maintain forging heat with this hand crank blower. From what I can tell this anthracite likes constant air. I will try to enlarge the holes that air comes through and see if I can get the hand crank blower to work with the anthracite this way when I get a chance. PS pics of large flame is with shop vac powering, not hand crank blower. I know my anvil in the pic is a POS ASO, I have a Trenton now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phabib Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 Can you explain the white stuff on the ground for us California people? Lazzari Fuel in just South of SF sells coal here. Haven't bought any in a long time but I'm sure it isn't cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 Just google "Donner Party" for the skinny on the white stuff for Californians! Yes anthracite likes constant air flow it's more like coke that way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 39 minutes ago, ThomasPowers said: Just google "Donner Party" for the skinny on the white stuff for Californians! Yes anthracite likes constant air flow it's more like coke that way IIRC I don't believe the Donner Party were Californians, not even the "guides." I wonder how many folk will thaw out in Cal. this spring? Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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