Bob lee Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 Hello smiths, I am teenager looking to get into this world of blacksmithing. I was recently surprised on my birthday with a ww2 era forge and blower. Unfortunately I have not been able to start the coal. The coal I was able to pick up had been sitting outside kind of wrapped up for a while. I have tried using newspaper covered in coal and even charcoal to help start my fire with no success. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks Thread moved to correct place in forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale Russell Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 Bob , have you checked out the below link ? https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/30887-forges-and-fires/ Dale Russell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob lee Posted June 28, 2017 Author Share Posted June 28, 2017 Thanks you I will try this out in the morning. Can a blow torch be used to get the coals going? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 O-A or propane? And you know "coal" is a general term for hundreds if not thousands of types and most of it is not very good for smithing. Stop by Saturday morning and I'll walk you through lighting my hand crank coal forge burning sewell seam coal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob lee Posted June 28, 2017 Author Share Posted June 28, 2017 It's a propane torch. I was able to get the forge started today using charcoal and a propane torch to light the coal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 I start my coal fire by making a nest out of a brown paper bag with small kindling pieces of wood on top along with coke from a previous fire. Light the paper and when it is going, I pull fresh coal around the edges while putting mild air to the fire. Once the coal lights I then add more coal till I have the desired size fire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 Build a fire from sticks and small pieces of wood. Add just enough air to get it going real good. Next add a handful of coal. Add some more wood, more coal and enough air to get it to burning. If the coal will burn (and is not rocks) it should take off and burn on its own. There are many different types of coal. You have to learn how to use the fuel you are working with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob lee Posted June 28, 2017 Author Share Posted June 28, 2017 Thanks both of you what about using charcoal to light the coke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 You can septa inky use lump charcoal to start coal, with andricite I typically start a small fire with wood, once I get a good fist size pile of embers I add the coal. Bitimith coal starts a lot easier, not unlike charcoal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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