Subject: Re: Blacksmith coke

From: "Douglas P. Terrell" <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 23 Jul 1996 16:01:57 -0500

[email-masked] wrote:
> 
> Klaas - thank you for your thoughts about using supermarket charcoal briketts for blacksmith
> fuel.  I've tried them, but find that they have a short life as compared with
> the coke I remember as a 12-year old boy.  In those days, the blacksmith
> had a slow fire burning all day long; when he wanted to get it up to full
> heat, it only took a couple of turns of the hand cranked blower to develop
> a strong fire.  Then, after 10 or 15 minutes of usage, he would let the fire
> remain unattended for maybe several hours if need be.  Then, it could be
> revived again.  My experience with charcoal briquettes is that they have
> a useful life of no more than 60 minutes, and maybe less when under
> forced draft.  Still, if there is no other source of fuel, I guess that's what
> I need.   Acutally, I got about 50 pounds of metallurgical coke from a
> cast iron foundry (cupola fuel).  But it is in large pieces maybe 10 inches
> across, or even more, and extremely brittle.  Also, it's difficult to ignite.
> Instead of blacksmith's coke, I would settle for bituminous coal, even
> through it probably contains some sulfur which is bad for iron - causes
> "hot shortness".  Thanks again.   Dave

There  is a coal yard in Brazil, Indiana which stocks Pocahontas Coal,
which several of the blacksmiths in this area use. I beleive the guy
will ship 25 or 50 lbs if your willing to pay the shipping.

Doug Terrell

---

From: [email-masked] (Hot Arn)
Date: 28 Jul 1996 02:35:59 -0400

>will ship 25 or 50 lbs if your willing to pay the shipping.

  Cumberland Elkhorn  in Lousville Ky. is also a supplier of a superior
grade of blacksmiths coal.
   Although I don't know about shipping, I go get mine.

[email-masked]                              DGB
Keep the anvils ringing.