Unpopular opinion: coal vs. charcoal for forge welding

I spent a year fighting with coal for forge welding because that's what the old timers swear by. But after trying hardwood charcoal at a workshop in Asheville last month, the difference was night and day. The charcoal burns way cleaner and gets to welding heat in half the time with way less smoke in my face. Has anyone else made the switch and noticed a big difference in their weld quality?

2 comments

2 Comments

wendysmith22h ago

Nah, I gotta disagree - coal's treated me fine for years with a good fire management.

thomas_johnson351d ago

Have you tried using a bit of moisture on the coal to help it coke up before you start welding? I stuck with coal for twenty years before I finally gave up and switched to charcoal myself. The difference in consistency is what got me. Coal from different suppliers can be all over the place in terms of sulfur content and how hard it is. Charcoal is pretty much the same every time, and that makes a huge difference when you are trying to nail a weld on a tight deadline. Less time messing with the fire means more time with your hammer.