Trip Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 so, I just got my new forge built, but now after just 3 day's of forging, I am out of coal!!!!!!!!! GRRR if it's not one thing its another!! LOL I found a place that sells coal just down the road, but it is anthracite coal, and from what I read most blacksmiths like bituminous coal. I have NO idea what type of coal I have been using. I got it from a friend, who gets it from an old school boiler room. All I know about it is, that when lit, it smokes like CRAZY but after a good flame is created there isn't as much smoke, and it takes a little while to form coke. Also it doesn't "cave" like regular blacksmith coal. Got any idea of what I have been using? The closest place that sells bituminous coal is over a 2 and a half hours drive one way!!!!! and I can only afford a few bags right now, but later on I would like to buy a ton or 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Best smithing coal is metallurgical grade bituminous. To buy decent coal I have a over 2 hour trip myself; but the seller usually brings a load to our conference or I can get some off another smith making the trip. (our conference is a 2 hour trip the other way; but I;m already making it to go to the conference. I also pick up a bag or two of Sewell Seam when I drive 1500 miles to Quad-State just to punish myself with memories of how good the coal is near to where you are at!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmccustomknives Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 There are several grades of coal, of which anthracite is the highest grade there is. Metelurgical bitumous coal is tested for things like sulpher content that can weaken steel. Anthracite has the highest btu's of coal and is the cleanest burning. There's a resturant locally that uses it in there pizza oven, really, I was just as surprised. Anthracite is also the most expensive. That isn't saying that there might be a high sulpher content, but give it a go you might like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 BEST for what? Anthracite is one of the worst for coking and not nearly as good for forging as a good Bituminous I'd rate it under using plain coke for smithing. Best is meaningless unless you give the criteria it was graded against Of course folks have smithed with peat before which is pretty much off the bottom of the coal scale being even below lignite. You use what you have; but personally I'd use charcoal before I'd use anthracite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted April 5, 2012 Author Share Posted April 5, 2012 How can I tell the difference between Bituminous and Anthracite coal, when I look at it? I found a place just down the road that sells anthracite coal........ that is if they are still open, I tried to call them and i got a messaged that said their phone was disconnected, so I call the camber of commerce to see if that was true and THEIR phone was disconnected!!!!!! that's not a good sign Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 I have worked with both soft and hard coals. It really depends on the quality of the coal. Anthracite of high quality will work well it is basically pure carbon. Buy a sack and try it out. If it works for you use it. I had some very good hard coal that as good as any Bituminous coal I ever used. It was some old stuff I found in a barn I was sad when I ran out. It burned super hot with a blue flame and almost no smoke . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted April 6, 2012 Author Share Posted April 6, 2012 I have worked with both soft and hard coals. It really depends on the quality of the coal. Anthracite of high quality will work well it is basically pure carbon. Buy a sack and try it out. If it works for you use it. I had some very good hard coal that as good as any Bituminous coal I ever used. It was some old stuff I found in a barn I was sad when I ran out. It burned super hot with a blue flame and almost no smoke . I think I will try out a bag of it...... that is if that place is still open!!!! I have used actual blacksmith coal before, and I liked how it formed a "cave". Will Anthracite coal do that?? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 No it wont form a cave that was the one down side I adjusted my method and hardly missed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marksnagel Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 I have used both. I have also mixed the two with good results but much rather have bituminous. I had a friend stop by yesterday from West Virginia and brought me @ 100lbs of really nice bituminous. :D The easter bunny has a beard and is in his late 50's. According to him coal is just laying around waiting to be picked up. KY is not far from WV. The land of milk and coal? Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted April 9, 2012 Author Share Posted April 9, 2012 I have used both. I have also mixed the two with good results but much rather have bituminous. I had a friend stop by yesterday from West Virginia and brought me @ 100lbs of really nice bituminous. :D The easter bunny has a beard and is in his late 50's. According to him coal is just laying around waiting to be picked up. KY is not far from WV. The land of milk and coal? Mark Sounds like you have a good friend, to bring you coal. LOL yeah, on my Google status message I put "I wish Santa would bring me some coal" LOL I think I have found a good source of coal!!!!! I put an add on Craigs List saying that I was looking for coal, and a few minutes ago a gentleman called and said that he sells lump coal for $0.10 a pound. Is that a good deal, or no??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marksnagel Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 If it is good coal then I would jump on it like a bum on a balogna sandwich. $5 for 50 lbs? Oh yea! If you can, get a bag and check it out. Lump coal you will have to break it up first into pea to grape sized pieces. But it breaks up easy. Wear safety glasses. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted April 9, 2012 Author Share Posted April 9, 2012 Well I just got done trying it out, it is the WIERDEST coal I have EVER seen, I have NOOOOO idea what it is. It is really shiney, dark DARK black, not much dust, it will coke & will "cave" up. All I do know is that I got 500LBs for $50, and it burns double barrel HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The first metal I heated was a piece of 1/2" square, and it took NO time at all to get it to a forging heat!!!!! SO far so good!!!!!!!! Praise the Lord!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 You got a deal, and you got the goods. Ask what the particulars are of the source of the coal next time. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted April 10, 2012 Author Share Posted April 10, 2012 You got a deal, and you got the goods. Ask what the particulars are of the source of the coal next time. Phil I asked him what type of coal it is, and he just said, "western Kentucky Lump Coal".???? Just a few minutes ago, an old man called me, and is giving me 1,000 pounds of Bituminous coal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That will give me 1,500 pounds!!! Question, how long will 1,500 pounds of coal last me??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I burn about 30 to 50 lbs a day in an 8 hour shift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I burn about 30 to 50 lbs a day in an 8 hour shift. What is that 5-10 gallons? Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Not sure my coal comes in a 50 lb bag. A normal day seems to be about 2/3 of a sack if I am really going at it I will just about burn up a full bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matto Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 you have to know that anthracite is the best, it has the lowest ash and mosture levels and the highest carbon content of the four coals ( lignite aka brown coal aka boiler coal, very high ash and moisture content low carbon great for heating. sub-bituminous little less ash and moisture content than lignite. bituminous is soft coal has very little ash and mosture content with good btus and great coking ability aka blacksmiths coal aka metelugical coal. anthracite highest carbon lowest ash and moisture content. almost straight coke so you have to use it as using coke in the fire not so much as using coal. it's coke abitity is not that good beause it is as close to coke as you can get with out being coke.) as far as my knowlege goes anthracite is not mined much any more but there are a few mine starting up again, it is usually cost more. mod note : people refer to bituminous coal as soft coal and anthracite as hard coal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SReynolds Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I have used both and they each have a purpose. The hard coal burns hot enough and gives off nary little smoke, no fly ash and hardly a clinker. It will not coke and therefor you have a tough time to shape the fire. It is nearly impossible to start. I really work at that. A large wood fire is my only hope. The soft stuff is very dirty. Lots of smoke and loads of fly ash. Makes a real mess.However, i can shape the fire to my needs as it cokes very well and lights easily. You just have to deal with the mess and manage the fire as it spreads easily and take care to feed only fresh coke in or you'll have all this smoke and flame from the green coal. Somebody, already likely, mentioned this........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted April 11, 2012 Author Share Posted April 11, 2012 Hey yall, Thanks for the input!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I made a video yesterday about the coal, hoping it would give yall a better idea of what in the world it is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOw2qR-UQWw Thanks, Trip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 The "stoker coal" I was given by my brother in law is glossy like that. I have about 3 gallons left. I went out and hammered a "big" piece to see how it breaks. This is nice coal to use, but it kills me without a flue to pull the smoke away. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted April 11, 2012 Author Share Posted April 11, 2012 The "stoker coal" I was given by my brother in law is glossy like that. I have about 3 gallons left. I went out and hammered a "big" piece to see how it breaks. This is nice coal to use, but it kills me without a flue to pull the smoke away. Phil So do you think that is what I have??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Could be. My brother in law got it from a fella in Dayton Ohio, who I think is a member of SOFA. This is the coal that the gentleman used himself. That is all I know about it. Stoker is a size, also called "nut" I believe. Pea is the next size smaller I think. If you get a rear axle half and have a hub on it you can use the hub as a hammer on the floor and the lug studs stop the crush at a good size. This was recommended by another member here some time ago. I think you have a deal. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SReynolds Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Perhaps I missed this, but you did burn it and took note if it coked or not, right? I mean that is the give-a-way as to what type of coal you have. I attended a class and it was mentioned as was here, that hard coal is very polished and soft coal is not. I know first had that won't work for me as most all coal has that polished appearance. The only which doesn't shine that I have seen is Ohio coal. It is grey and dull looking and not what you'd want for a forge as it is loaded with sulfur and trash (makes good clinkers) Looks much like shale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted April 12, 2012 Author Share Posted April 12, 2012 Perhaps I missed this, but you did burn it and took note if it coked or not, right? I mean that is the give-a-way as to what type of coal you have. I attended a class and it was mentioned as was here, that hard coal is very polished and soft coal is not. I know first had that won't work for me as most all coal has that polished appearance. The only which doesn't shine that I have seen is Ohio coal. It is grey and dull looking and not what you'd want for a forge as it is loaded with sulfur and trash (makes good clinkers) Looks much like shale. Yes it does turn to coal, and "caves" up. Also after burning that coal in my forge for 8 hours yesterday, there was only 1 clinker, and it was the size of a half dollar piece, but there was a LOT of ash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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