Greetings all,
I have just discovered this group, hope to be able to do more than ask silly questions, but here goes the first. What grade of coal should I use in a "Duck Bed" forge? Hope I have the name correct, that is what my Dad and uncle call it. The forge is approximately 20" around, 3-4" deep with a hand turned blower in the center. I will be using it to heat 1/2"-3/4" square steel bars to give them a hammered look, similar to wrought iron. I have approximately 10 of these to do, I don't think I will need to get them all the way to red/white hot. I was thinking a bright orange would be sufficient for the hammer marks to "take" without throwing a shoulder out beating on them. :) I would be open to any suggestions/cautions the group might have for this project. The end result will hopefully be a fireplace screen for my parents house, just hope we can get it done by Christmas.
Thanks in advance for your help in this matter, Jim C Roberts
PS anyone here live in the Chattanooga, Tn area know where I could purchase the coal? JR