Unpopular opinion: I stopped using my gas forge for most small work after a trip to the Ozark Folk Center.

For years, I thought my two-burner gas forge was the only way to go for everything, from big projects to small hooks. But watching a smith there work a coal fire for detailed scrollwork, I saw how much easier it was to control the heat in a tiny spot. I built a simple coal forge in my shop last month, and now I use it for anything under 1/4 inch stock because I can pinpoint the heat without cooking the whole piece. Anyone else make a switch back to a 'slower' fuel for better control?

2 comments

2 Comments

joseph5299d ago

Yeah, that's so true. I started using a little charcoal forge for scrolls and it's a total game changer, you can just nudge the heat exactly where you need it. Makes the gas forge feel like a blunt instrument for small stuff.

barnes.shane9d agoTop Commenter

Totally get that, @joseph529, my little coal forge is perfect for detail work.