Description

Blacksmithing 206 Coal Forge Management

Saturday April 6th, 2024  9 AM-1:30 PM

Ticket Price $125 (includes all materials), non-refundable

8 tickets maximum

Instructor Jesse Evans and Michael Gillespie

Prerequisite: Eye protection is REQUIRED, respiratory protection is SUGGESTED.

Traditional blacksmithing utilizes a coal forge (many use a gas forge now).  There is a definite learning curve using a coal forge as you are in control of the coal, forming coke, starting and maintain the fire, controlling the air flow and heat management.  In this class we will demonstrate how to best start the initial fire (matches, sticks, propane torch, etc.) how to change the coal into coke (the part we actually use), how to maintain the shape of the fire, control the air/oxygen flow, etc.  Coal forge fires burn much hotter than the propane forges so you need to learn the heat time for your metal or you run the risk of burning your metal up.

This is an outside class (weather permitting) as the coal needs to burn off the impurities and initially generates lots of smoke.

We hope to have several coal forges available and encourage all who take this class to complete all the task of starting, maintaining, utilizing your forge and make a simple hook for your project.

Forge welding will also be discussed and demonstrated if time permits.