Charcoal for christmas.

[blademasterii]

My buddy has a charcoal forge that I enjoy when time allows. The problem is charcoal is expensive here in Florida. So being the cheapskate I am I came up with this solution. Total cost was 10 dollars for the barrels and 25 for the pipe framework. I still need to get some hinges and a latch but its mostly done. I get one or two 10' pine pallets with 4x4 bases at work a week. Still need to run a pipe from the top to the bottom with holes drilled in it. That way when the upper chamber starts to gasify the wood it will self sustain.http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn276/blademasterii/IMAG0213.jpg

[Just Duke]

Is the charcoal for making the holy black?

[blademasterii]

I use it to make railroad spike knives, steel roses and a number of other interesting things. :D

[plmitch]

Thats a neat setup there.

[PS Paul]

Ahhhh. Perhaps you are a fellow Scotsman?? Inventive, creative and, above all else, CHEAP! har-harrrrr.

[Rick N Bama]

Charcoal from Pine?

[blademasterii]

It is not ideal for sure, but its what is available. Not many hardwoods in Florida. It does burn fast and hot, but as long as I have a good supply of it that's fine with me. The same setup without the cutout in the top barrel and a nice vent fan makes for a great heating stove. The top barrel just heats air and is pushed along by heat rising or a small fan. A similar setup was used in our house in west virginia for winter heating. It was setup in the basement.

[Wayne Smith]

Is the charcoal for making the holy black?

No, Duke, for a forge. Even better, I can buy the Holy Black. Functional forges are rare any more. Maybe even, eventually, building something to shoot the Holy Black in?? Yeah, that's ambitious, I know. If it is a good forge it will even get hot enough to melt Iron/Steel for casting.

Wish I had access to one and the time to learn it. Dad had a small, portable one when I was small. All I could do was turn the fan.

[Rick N Bama]

Not many hardwoods in Florida.


Many moons ago I lived just up the road from you aways in Brevard County when I was in the AF stationed at Patrick. I think Live Oaks were about the only hardwood trees I can remember.

Rick

[Blacksmith]

Wish I had access to one and the time to learn it. Dad had a small, portable one when I was small. All I could do was turn the fan.

Wayne,
I can't help with the time but I can point you in a direction to get you started.
ABANA Artist-Blacksmith's Association of North America Inc. has affiliates around the world including Hampton Roads VA area and we blacksmiths love new blood just like Boolit casters. So get in touch with your local organizations, there are two listed:
ARTIST BLACKSMITH GROUP OF TIDEWATER
TIDEWATER BLACKSMITH'S GUILD
on this list:
http://www.abana.org/affiliates/affiliate_list.shtml
Attend a few meetings and someone will stick a hammer in your hand and it is all down hill from there. I see a forge, anvils, hammers, tongs and other heavy things in your future.
Here is one of the meetings of the first group:
http://happyhavenforge.wordpress.com/2012/08/15/hosted-abgt-artist-blacksmith-group-of-tidewater/
And here is the home page of the second:
http://www.tidewaterblacksmiths.com/

For the rest with interest ABANA has affiliates in many states and other countries including:
NEW ZEALAND
FINLAND
AUSTRALIA
ISRAEL
MOROCCO
CANADA
Hungary
Ireland

Here is the ABANA homepage:
http://www.abana.org/

And here is the I Forge Iron blacksmiths forum (25,975 members):
http://www.iforgeiron.com/

[Wayne Smith]

Thank you. Yes, I know. I've been avoiding that for years. Simply no time, and LOML would kill me!

[Just Duke]

I have a box of spikes and would trade them for lino if anyone needs them.