the iron dwarf Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 here is a short vid of lighting my forge, 1 firelighter, some charcoal and coke was all that was used, others say it takes 30 mins to an hour but here it was going in 7 mins and we often take less time. vid is 7.47 lit at 0.30 forge is bottom blast hope this works, shown the whole 7 minutes rather than editing it down shorter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottMitUns Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 Iron Dwarf, Looks like you and I developed the same technique half a world apart with the same results. About the only difference is I use a MAAP gas plumbers torch with a trigger button to light the wax block (and my gas forges). If you don't have one of the torches look into them, they are quite handy. Russell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the iron dwarf Posted December 2, 2015 Author Share Posted December 2, 2015 today it was 6 minutes to get hot enough to work inch thick steel, in the vid we were not trying for speed but I had heard people say they would not wait 30 plus mins so only use gas. have thought about a map torch but dont have much need for one, if I see one that is a good bargain I might get it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Wicks Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 I use the same technique for lighting my charcoal forge. I have some fire lighters that are mdf soaked in kerosene and wax. One of those lit with a match and some small pieces of charcoal and i can have a fire ready to use in under 10 mins. I've also heard of smiths using a gas axe torch to light their coke fires. I;ve used small propane torches and i've found the lighter block and match to be the cheapest method MAPP gas is £30 per bottle in B&Q. I can even make do with some wood shavings covered in WD40! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the iron dwarf Posted December 20, 2015 Author Share Posted December 20, 2015 mdf has some nasty things in it that are carcinogenic if burnt so I have heard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tzonoqua Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 A woodworker has his workshop at the other end of the barn, so I go and collect his offcuts, mostly pine, and can get a coke fire going pretty quick with just a wood fire, with coke piled overtop. I am now using coal though and that goes up even quicker. I never quite understood the mystique about lighting a coke fire... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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