Xref: utzoo rec.org.sca:4558 trial.rec.metalworking:10 Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!intercon!news From: amanda@mermaid.intercon.com (Amanda Walker) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca,trial.rec.metalworking Subject: Blacksmithing Message-ID: <26A74055.33FE@intercon.com> Date: 20 Jul 90 17:33:09 GMT References: <34040@ut-emx.UUCP> Sender: usenet@intercon.com (USENET The Magnificent) Reply-To: amanda@mermaid.intercon.com (Amanda Walker) Organization: InterCon Systems Corporation, Herndon, VA Lines: 22 [In which we discover yet another random skill out of my past...] In article , legowik@cme.nist.gov (Steven Legowik) writes: > I personally prefer coal over charcoal. I think it last longer and > burns hotter. If you use coal, be sure to use nice, hard, anthracite coal. Soft high-sulfur coal generates extremely annoying and noxious fumes when it's initially ignited. My favorite fuel is coke: it's more expensive to buy, but it gives you a very clean, hot fire right from the start. Since a coal fire is at its best after it has turned into coke anyway, I figure why not start it out that way :-)? I've also seen forges fired with natural gas & propane, which mean fuel is cnveniently available, but you have to be *real* careful not to de-carburize your steel in them. They seem to be better for things like glassblowing than for blacksmithing. -- Amanda Walker InterCon Systems Corporation