Suppliers of Blacksmith Coal?

[omarick1948]

Went to a 7-11 Store and Walmart and asked for it, but all they did was look odd at me!

Where do you Blacksmith's buy your coal?

 

[paulvallandigham]

I just found this site by googling " retail coal sources". Check it out.
http://www.fholder.com/Blacksmithing/coal.htm

 

[pichou]

Centaur Forge
http://www.centaurforge.com/Coal-Coke/products/277/

 

[bwhoffman]

most any farrier's supply of size will have it.

 

[chipper]

Don't use coal.
I use charcoal and I love it. I'll never go back. The coal made me have the jitters.
I now use charcoal, I weld with it and everything works just fine.

Regards
Loyd Shindelbower
Loveland Colorado

 

[blacksmithman64]

see if a feed store around you has it, I use junky ol' stoker coal for regular stuff like fire irons and grills,but I have to go to Toledo to get good blacksmith coal. Try www.appaltree.net, thats the appalachian blacksmiths association and they have a list of coal suppliers.

 

[geologist]

I get mine at auctions, but you might try www.abana.com or www.anvilfire.com:wink:

 

[wayne1967]

I use to walk the railroad tracks with a bag and pick it up. Don't know if it vibrates off of them or what. Free but you are not going to get alot at a time.

 

[slowpokebr549]

I can walk down to the creek bluff and dig it out of the vein that runs under the bridge. It is NASTY sulfer ridden, clinker causing, low temp schiess though.I like to make charcoal out of hedge(osage orange, bois de arc),it burns hot and clean. I make charcoal for my smoker anyway.

 

[ameling]

Do check out the ABANA web site. And follow any link to a Chapter near you. Most blacksmith organizations have lists of suppliers - because good coal can be a bit of a problem to get. Some groups even do their own bulk purchase within their groups. BAM is a pretty big group sort of near you - Blacksmith Association of Missouri.

Centaur Forge out of Burlington WI will sell you good blacksmith coal. But it gets expensive to ship. I pick mine up from Skye Coal and Fuel down in Ames Iowa. He brings in blacksmith coal and regular "stoker" heating coal by the rail car load, and then bags it himself.

Stoker/heating coal will work - it's just not as clean burning, has more clinker, and "different" heat. For general work, there is no real problem - other than the size of the lumps. The stuff from the power plants and along the railroad tracks tends to be pretty big chunks that you have to bust up smaller.

Lump hardwood charcoal does work very well. But you will use up a lot more of it compared to coal.

You could also check with some of the foundries near you. A lot of them use industrial coke - coal that has been baked in the abcense of oxygen till you just have the carbon fuel left. Like making charcoal out of wood. YOu do the same thing in your forge as you drive off all that smoke to "coke up" your coal. But it will not pack together and seal up around your fire like coal will. Some blacksmiths use Coke to fuel their fire, and spread Coal over the top to pack together and form that "shell" to help seal in the heat. The coal eventually will "coke out" and burn, but the main fuel for their fire is the coke they feed it. Sometimes industrial coke is easier to get than good blacksmithing coal, so this gives you the benefits of both.

Land-O-Lakes used to be able to order it - through their feed division. But I bought the last 3 1/2 bags at the local store years ago, and they could no longer order any more. But some farm/feed stores can still order it.

So check out some of the blacksmith groups and individuals near you. They will have the best info in your area. But many blacksmiths are changing over to propane gas forges - with coal supplies being one large factor in that decision.

Hope this helps.

Mikey - that grumpy ol' German blacksmith out in the Hinterlands

 

[chipper]

I use old circular saw blades to cover my charcoal with while it's burning. I can drive the temperature way hotter and I use less charcoal. I I learned that from a fellow who uses an athat Isbestos blanket to cover his fire. He uses running water to quench with when he makes knives.

Regards
Loyd Shindelbower
Loveland Colorado

 

[omarick1948]

Thanks abunch guys!..I got a whole bunch of idea's and avenues to explore. That's why I can always count on fellow forum members for their
experience and expertise!

Rick :hatsoff: