Coal versus gas forge. I still think coal gives a better weld.

I've been at this for about 15 years, mostly out of my shop in rural Indiana. Tried a gas forge a few years back because everyone says it's cleaner and easier. But I still get a much stronger weld on my damascus billets using coal. The heat just seems more even and I can control the carbon better. Has anyone else stuck with coal for certain jobs?

2 comments

2 Comments

robinj2912d ago

Had a buddy from up near Fort Wayne, been forging about 25 years, swear by his coal forge for anything thicker than an inch. He let me borrow his gas forge for a month to try and switch over. First week I made a nice billet, but when I went to weld it, the layers slipped apart right in the middle. Coal heat just seems to soak in deeper and more even, like a cast iron skillet versus a nonstick pan. I still use gas for small knives and quick work, but for heavy welding I stay with the coal.

lane.cameron13d ago

Wait, hold on. Coal gives a better weld? I've gotta push back a little on that. I ran a coal forge for years and fought with temperature spikes and hot spots that ruined more billets than I care to count. Gas is way more consistent once you tune the burners, and I can dial in a neutral or slightly reducing atmosphere without babysitting it every two seconds. The whole "carbon control" thing with coal is a myth if you ask me, you're just guessing compared to a regulated gas flow. For damascus, I've never had a bad weld from my gas forge, and it saves me an hour of cleanup per heat.