Had to pick between a gas forge and a coal forge for my home shop

I went with gas because my HOA would've flipped about coal smoke, but now I kinda miss the control you get with solid fuel. Anyone else feel like gas forges just don't have the same 'touch' for certain projects?

2 comments

2 Comments

sullivan.abby1mo ago

Man, I was in the exact same boat last year. Ended up swapping my gas forge for a coal setup after fighting with it for months. The gas one just couldn't hold enough heat for the thicker blade stock I was working on, like 1/4 inch 1084. With coal I can pile the fuel right where I need it and get that localized hot spot. Took some trial and error to get the air flow right without burning everything up, but now I wouldn't trade it for anything.

shane2441mo ago

That 1/4 inch 1084 actually forges fine in a decent gas forge if you've got the right burner setup. I ran 3/8 inch 5160 in a single burner forge built off a blown propane tank with no real issues. Your problem was probably just a wonky burner or not enough insulation in the forge body.