Tried using a coal forge instead of gas for a week straight on Damascus billets

My welds were cleaner but I lost so much time adjusting the fire and dealing with clinker, like an extra 45 minutes per billet. Is the better weld quality worth the slower pace or am I just too stuck in my gas forge habits?

2 comments

2 Comments

wadeyoung1mo ago

Have you ever tried running a charcoal fire just to see how much more of a pain fuel prep can get? I spent a whole weekend on it once and came away with some nice pattern welds but a serious appreciation for my propane bill.

wendygrant1mo ago

Sympathy from over here, @wadeyoung. One charcoal run left me covered in soot and wondering why I didn't just stick with the propane tank.