Just realized my old coal forge was holding me back

I used a hand crank blower on a rivet forge for years, thinking it gave me more control. Then I visited a smith in Austin who runs a Whisper Mama propane forge, and the difference in heat consistency was crazy. After switching six months ago, my forge welds are cleaner and I waste way less fuel. Anyone else make the jump from solid fuel to gas and notice a big change in their work?

4 comments

4 Comments

drew_mitchell2mo ago

You can get good control with gas too, it's just a different skill set. My propane forge holds a steady heat for the whole piece, not just one spot. That let me start doing more complex scrollwork without cold spots ruining the bends. The time saved on fire management goes right back into the actual forging.

ivan7741mo ago

Oh man, I feel you on that! I switched to a propane forge last year and it honestly changed the game for me. I was struggling with scrollwork too, especially tight bends that needed even heat. With the gas, I can just set it and forget it, focus on the hammer work instead of constantly flipping the piece or poking at the fire. Saves me a good 20 minutes per project just from not having to fiddle with the coal pile. I still miss the feel of working with coal sometimes, but for complex stuff, gas is just way more reliable for me.

emeryc212mo ago

Right? My coal forge was such a pain to manage.

charles6402mo ago

I mean, it's a skill like anything else. Once you get the fire management down it's not so bad, just takes practice. Maybe it's just me but I actually find the control you get with coal to be worth the hassle. Gas forges are easier for sure, but they don't feel the same to work with.