Unread post
by Martin Pansch » Thu Feb 16, 2017 6:19 pm
Hi Jim,
Welcome to the Forum and to blacksmithing!
Nice leaf. Much better than my first. Some would say better than the ones I make now. ;)
Coal forges can be tough to start until you get used to them. When I first switch from charcoal to coal I often had to make a little wood fire before piling on the coal if I had any hope of getting it lit. The torch is a good "cheat" too that I am not above using if I have an issue getting it going (still happens 20 years later). The coal you have can affect fire lighting abilities as well as how much air it is getting. A few times I have tried lighting a forge that has been sitting for a season, not get anywhere despite cranking the hell out of the blower when suddenly "WHUMP" a mouse nest comes shooting out of the pipe to the ash dump. With experience it will become much easier.
I must compliment your forge. I have been keeping my eye out for one of those break-down Army forges for a while. I actually have the 1943 Department of War manual on metalworking that teaches blacksmithing and it has that forge in it. Is yours the one with the hand crank or the electric blower on it?
Take care.
Martin