Tool Talk

Blacksmith and Metal Working Forum => Blacksmith and Metalworking Forum => Topic started by: Papaw on December 21, 2019, 03:43:55 PM

Title: Coal
Post by: Papaw on December 21, 2019, 03:43:55 PM
My son has made a small forge and used charcoal in it . He was successful in making a few nails he can use in making replica Viking shields, but coal would work better.

Coal is not common here in South Texas, but he can buy it online. My thought is - Does anyone here on Tool Talk have any ? I would be willing to pay postage on a large flat rate box of real coal. I don't have any idea what coal costs. Is it expensive?
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: oldgoaly on December 21, 2019, 03:52:52 PM
Do you have a Tractor supply near by?
not the best forge welding coal but burns hot and cheaper.https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/premium-nut-coal
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: Papaw on December 21, 2019, 04:39:05 PM
Local Tractor Supply doesn't have it, and the home page says mot available in any TSP store within 100 miles.

Title: Re: Coal
Post by: lazyassforge on December 21, 2019, 05:37:12 PM
Papaw, how far are you from these people? They have blacksmith coal listed on their website

http://www.texasfarriersupply.com/products.php?cat=44
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: lazyassforge on December 21, 2019, 05:40:43 PM
I have plenty of coal and I’m willing to send you some if Texas farrier supply isnt close. Just let me know!
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: Papaw on December 21, 2019, 06:43:27 PM
They are several hundred miles away and I can't find a shipping cost without adding myself to their email list. then I see this in the cart- "The requested service is unavailable to residential destinations." Now I find shipping a 50# bag from them would be $48.59 !!!!!

How much do you want for some coal? I am sure whatever will fit in a Large Flat Rate Box would be enough to learn with.
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: Bill Houghton on December 21, 2019, 07:03:53 PM
Check on regional rate boxes, too - sometimes cheaper than flat rate, depending on how far apart the parties are.
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: lazyassforge on December 21, 2019, 07:38:29 PM
Papaw, please give me your mailing address and I’ll get you some headed your way!!! I have a barrel of poco coal Which I’m not using anymore. I’ve pretty much gone to propane.

Bill Davis
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: Papaw on December 21, 2019, 08:07:34 PM
Noel C Hankamer
1711 W Willis St
Alvin, Texas 77511-5775
Happy to pay you for it or at least for the postage.
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: lazyassforge on December 21, 2019, 09:36:40 PM
Papaw, I couldn’t charge you for this! I’m glad to be able to help you!! Diana found a flat rate box. Tomorrow we will get coal in it and tape it up so it will survive the trip!! I hope
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: Papaw on December 21, 2019, 09:47:14 PM
Thanks !!
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: oldgoaly on December 22, 2019, 08:15:57 AM
the hardwood charcoal works better than briquettes but when ya want to try it go with what you have!!!
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: Papaw on December 22, 2019, 10:11:59 AM
We used regular BBQ briquettes and got some results, but it won't get hot enough and stay hot as long as coal will.
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: papadan on December 22, 2019, 08:53:29 PM
I grew up with a coal furnace in our house, remember well getting up on cold mornings and going to the basement to shovel coal and stoke the fire. After I was grown and moved out, she had a natural gas burner installed in the furnace and still kept a ton of coal in the bin just incase the gas ran out. This was 60s and 70s, downtown Louisville.
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: Papaw on December 22, 2019, 10:43:12 PM
When we went to Philadelphia to see my uncle in '99 , I saw his coal chute and old coal furnace that he kept operative just in case.
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: lazyassforge on December 23, 2019, 11:31:30 AM
Papaw, the coal is bagged and boxed, Diana is taking it to post office.  I threw a nail header in the box. Maybe it will help. If he isn’t used to coal, green  coal will smoke quite a bit before it cokes up.
Have fun hammering!!!

Bill Davis
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: Papaw on December 26, 2019, 03:18:17 PM
The coal and nail header arrived today, and Mike says THANKS !

He has already made  the first nails with it and is learning quickly.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49279266886_a2a4812b3a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2i5D8bw)Mike's Mini Forge and nails made in it (https://flic.kr/p/2i5D8bw) by Noel Hankamer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/nhankamer/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49279467847_43cf0abc78_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2i5E9Vn)Mike's Mini Forge and nails made in it (https://flic.kr/p/2i5E9Vn) by Noel Hankamer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/nhankamer/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49279468507_3e73daf12e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2i5Ea7K)Mike's Mini Forge and nails made in it (https://flic.kr/p/2i5Ea7K) by Noel Hankamer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/nhankamer/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49278793133_2ccab47569_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2i5AGmn)Mike's Mini Forge and nails made in it (https://flic.kr/p/2i5AGmn) by Noel Hankamer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/nhankamer/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: Papaw on January 07, 2020, 07:20:27 PM
Michael let me bang on some hot metal this evening !
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: oldgoaly on January 08, 2020, 08:39:34 AM
Some one is going to have of black buggers!
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: lazyassforge on January 09, 2020, 11:14:12 AM
Do y’all need more coal papaw? I still have plenty.
Bill D
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: Papaw on January 11, 2020, 07:16:20 PM
Going up the learning curve-
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: Papaw on January 19, 2020, 09:18:53 PM
Hair clip and sash pin.
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: papadan on January 20, 2020, 12:41:15 AM
Nice work for only a beginner, practice makes perfect.
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: lptools on January 20, 2020, 05:59:04 AM
Nicely done!!!!
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: lazyassforge on January 20, 2020, 06:08:12 PM
Pretty good work!! Did y’all get to contact the HABA group?

Bill D
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: Papaw on January 20, 2020, 06:50:29 PM
Pretty good work!! Did y’all get to contact the HABA group?

Bill D

Not yet, Mike says he  is not ready.
I did look at the Facebook page, but it seems it doesn't have much traffic.
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: papadan on January 20, 2020, 07:21:32 PM
I always enjoyed forging, but kept my work to blades. Mostly Damascus for knife making.
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: Yadda on January 21, 2020, 06:46:31 PM
I always enjoyed forging, but kept my work to blades. Mostly Damascus for knife making.

Damascus takes a lot of folding and pounding? Does it help to be angry at something when you start?  :grin:
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: papadan on January 21, 2020, 09:15:17 PM
Impossible to get angry when you're alone at the forge. Just too peaceful to get mad about anything!
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: Papaw on January 21, 2020, 09:36:11 PM
I think it is good therapy for Mike.

Also for me when I am allowed to participate.
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: Papaw on March 03, 2020, 10:14:51 PM
Things have slowed down at our little forge. Mike has work issues, and two hammers gave up. I rehandled them today. The ball peen is about 70 years old. New Hickory handles will help.
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: p_toad on March 04, 2020, 06:30:15 PM
looks good.   i had some handle cutoffs (too short for that 6 pounder i showed) and i gave them one at the blacksmith class place i went to a while back.   Their punch needed a new handle.
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: lptools on March 04, 2020, 06:57:13 PM
Hello, Papaw. Nice job on the handles!!  Regards, Lou
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: lazyassforge on March 04, 2020, 10:06:15 PM
Papaw, I was just wondering how your blacksmithing was going today! Good deal on rehandling the hammers. I’m glad y’all enjoy the forging.

Bill Davis