Hello everyone, My name is Charlie Edmondson and I live in Alexander city, Alabama. I have always had my hand in metal working alittle bit. When my Grandfather was alive I would watch him forge things for fences abd small things like that. I am a small time fabricator and welder so I figured I would make my own forge. The fire pot is round pretty deep and I just got myself some coal. Now the coal is big chuncks that I had to break down and I was told it was from Russia. I have done everything a human can do to try and start it but it just wont start. Tomorrow I am going to the Tannehill,Al Forge council seminar and buy myself some good coal, So do any of you guys think its the coal? I have watched every single video on youtube and yahoo, mine just wont go? I wont so bad to start banging a hammer, any suggestions? Thanks for all comments and advise, Godbless,Charlie Edmondson

I deleted this part due to stupidity on my part.


As to your problem. Do you have the air on at all? I would build a small fire with kindling first, and get that going real good. Then start to add coal. Hopefully it should start.

Edited September 4, 200817 yr by m_brothers

Build a nice fire out of dry kindling. Stoke it up well, and when it starts to develop real heat and a some coals, start adding your coal on the outside and begin pushing it in towards the center. As the wood burns out you should have your coal going to town.

IForgeIron.com > Lessons in Metalworking > Blacksmithing > LB0010 Building a Fire

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BP0036 How to build a Coal Fire
BP0037 How to Build a Coal Fire
BP0042 How to Build a Coal Fire

BP0045 How to Build a Coal Fire
BP0046 How to Build a Coal Fire
BP0048 How to Build a Coal Fire


DO NOT use flammable liquids !!

Sometimes I find chunks of shale or sandstone in mystery coal. Might be possible you busted up a non-flammable mineral.

Hey Charlie, I will be at Tannehill Saturday. Ricardo and I are going to go over and come home on Saturday. If you see a bald head and a name tag that says Lyle, speak up. I start my fires with three pieces of news paper balled up together like a mushroom. Light the bottom turn on the air, and put some coal around the newspaper but leave a hole somewhere, so the fire can breathe. Good luck.

Thanks for all the advise, I will definitely look for you lyle, I hope I see you thanks for everything you guys, Man I tried everything even lighter fluid, but I definitley wont try that again, Seems like when it geting in that ash dump it likes to go KA_BOOM, I will try everything you guys have offered, Thanks again so much,Charlie I will be looking for you lyle, Godbless to all

RC, If possible take the forge with you. Might be a construction issue. Good luck and welcome.
Ken

try running it on BBQ charcoal to see if that will light. if so then its a coal problem.

I light my coal forge with a propain torch give it 2or3 minutes of heat and you are able to introduce a small blast of air and away you go.

RC
i had the same problem so i bought some charcoal and poof i had a fire, and then went and bought some good coal from a different supplier . the end results was amazing, now a good hot fire that heats the metal

RICH