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?

3 comments

3 Comments

drew_mitchell21d agoMost Upvoted

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.

emeryc2121d ago

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

charles64021d 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.