Gas forge vs coal forge: I made the switch and never looked back

I started out with a coal forge like everyone told me to, but after 2 years I finally caved and bought a gas forge from a guy in Ohio. Coal is cheaper per pound but the time I wasted lighting it and adjusting the fire drove me crazy. With gas I just flip a switch and I'm hammering in 5 minutes flat. Plus my shop stays way cleaner without coal dust everywhere. The only downside is gas forges don't get that hot spot coal has for welding, but for 90% of my work it's fine. Has anyone else made the switch and regret it, or am I the only one who hates dealing with coal?

2 comments

2 Comments

troyp3716d ago

You ever have a buddy who just refuses to listen to advice? My friend Dave spent like 6 months swearing by his coal forge, always bragging about how "real" blacksmiths use coal. Then his neighbor's shed caught fire from a stray ember (nobody got hurt, but it was close). Next week he bought a gas forge from the same Ohio guy and now he won't shut up about how quiet his shop is without the blower running. The funny thing is he still keeps a bucket of coal in the corner for decoration, like a trophy of his old stubborn self.

finley_lopez9816d ago

It's like that time my buddy insisted on using a manual push mower because "that's how real men do it" until his back gave out and he bought a self-propelled one. Sometimes we get stuck on the romance of doing things the hard way until the hard way actually hurts us. Coal diehards are the same people who still use flip phones and brag about it until they finally try a smartphone.