Choose Your Forge: Coal VS Propane | Making a Propane Forge Perform Better

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  • Опубликовано: 29 июн 2024
  • In the last video, I showed you how I built an over-engineered stand for the new propane forge. Here, we discuss the pros and cons between the two styles of heat source. Which will you choose? The Affordable Forge: amzn.to/37jBpyO
    Support the Ship Shop: / brettmcafee
    Behind the Scenes: / skullandspade13
    Tools/Equipment in this video:
    The Affordable Forge: amzn.to/37jBpyO
    Electric Blower: amzn.to/2HNjl7v
    Speed Adjust: amzn.to/3lhmUke
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Комментарии • 206

  • @dylanregister1912
    @dylanregister1912 2 года назад +13

    Might be a bit late but I wouldn't forget about charcoal forges either, especially if you're looking for a budget option to get started. Charcoal forges can be as simple as a hole in the ground with a hair dryer pointed at it. You can use either store bought lump charcoal or homemade charcoal if you've access to wood to convert. For forge welding, it gets the steel hot enough. However, it produces a lot of ash that can get between the steel and prevent it from welding properly, making it sometimes difficult to weld. Fire management can be a pain, as like coal you have to stay on top of it. It also produces a lot of sparks that can burn shirts and skin, though you get used to those sorts of things anyway when forging. Charcoal I believe burns faster than coal, so you'll be adding more fuel more frequently. You also have to prepare the charcoal beforehand by breaking it down into smaller chunks about half the size of your thumb. I think the main appeal for charcoal is how accessible it is for beginners, you only need charcoal, a hair dryer, and a hole to make a forge. Once you have it, you can always make more fuel if you can get your hands on scrap wood, meaning it can be pretty cheap to run it if you're on a budget.

    • @bruceb7120
      @bruceb7120 2 года назад

      I could never get it those hot enough

  • @VonWalther2
    @VonWalther2 3 года назад +17

    When the ship runs out of ocean, and the vessel runs aground, Hand Modeling is where The Captain can be found.

  • @chybz
    @chybz 3 года назад

    Very well made and truly informative. Thanks Brett !

  • @GrahamDallas
    @GrahamDallas 3 года назад +3

    Great info there Brett, I knew some of it but also learned a good deal.

  • @nikond90ful1
    @nikond90ful1 3 года назад

    Thanks for the video Brett. Informative and entertaining. Keep safe and stay well.

  • @Andrewmackinnonripp
    @Andrewmackinnonripp 3 года назад +1

    Thank you for explaining the differences between the two fuel types, Captain. This helps me make a decision for further down the line when I start the Frenetic Ferret Forge.

  • @NMBWoodworks
    @NMBWoodworks 3 года назад

    Great video, really informative and you gave a really nice balance of facts and experience. I feel educated!

  • @TrevorHigginsDustysqueak
    @TrevorHigginsDustysqueak 3 года назад +1

    Good stuff. I feel a little better about my coal setup now. Thanks Brett.

  • @1956vern
    @1956vern 3 года назад +2

    Very educational! I would mainly use a propane forge for decorative hinge work! I have a single burner but would like to have a two or three burner propane! No all burners would need to run just the placement of burner and would like a rectangle forge!
    I have acetylene that is my go to for most metal work!
    I like your propane setup! I’m going to copy that feature and use that gate! I have just fire bricks and it takes time for moving! I lose the edge on work! 1/4 to 20 gauge metal cools rapidly!
    I appreciate seeing you dedicated smith’s and your work place! Awesome 👏

    • @skullandspade
      @skullandspade  3 года назад

      Thank you! There’s definitely a lot of value in the consistent heat of propane setups.

  • @jaredpaddick5879
    @jaredpaddick5879 3 года назад

    What an informative and well done video! Great work!

  • @MichaelKieweg
    @MichaelKieweg 3 года назад +4

    I learned something on that one. Well done, Sir!

  • @JohnMadeit
    @JohnMadeit 3 года назад

    That was great info. And delivered in a great way.

  • @jutulporten
    @jutulporten 3 года назад

    Thanks for another great video Brett!

  • @FredMcIntyre
    @FredMcIntyre 3 года назад

    Awesome work Brett, thanks for the info! 😃👍🏻👊🏻

  • @EvanDunville
    @EvanDunville 3 года назад

    Great comparison. I used a coal forge at a friend's shop. It was a lot of fun!

  • @scoobshagg
    @scoobshagg 3 года назад +1

    Great comparison Bret. I learned on coal and really enjoyed it. Then later I moved into the city with neighbors close by. Starting up a coal forge can be smokey with propane I don't have to worry about that. After a few years with propane I'm now looking for a coal forge again because I miss it and some of its advantages.

  • @TheMessyStudio
    @TheMessyStudio 3 года назад

    Great info there, Brett! Thanks!

  • @Dfrantz87
    @Dfrantz87 3 года назад +4

    Elegantly done brother! The Tubes have been missing a clean, no BS video on this.
    💀♠️¹³
    ⚒🔥
    🤜🏾💥🤛🏾

  • @chrisanderton8834
    @chrisanderton8834 2 года назад

    Cheers mate. This was really helpful. I purchased a cheap forge as to not invest too much until I was sure this was something I really wanted to do. After a week I knew I needed something a little more serious. Logistically and availability make coal a no go for me. I'm in the process of making my own gas forge and I'll definitely be "borrowing" some of your ideas. So thanks again for the post, appreciated.

  • @CraftsWithEllen
    @CraftsWithEllen 3 года назад

    Very informative captain!

  • @molegrip3860
    @molegrip3860 3 года назад +2

    My conclusion - it's best to have both ;) Cheers Brett - thanks for sharing another awesome video. Happy Sunday :)

  • @BoNdzY
    @BoNdzY 2 года назад +1

    Great video Bret, keep it up 👍

  • @bigmikeg84
    @bigmikeg84 3 года назад +1

    A lot more of an interesting topic then I thought it would be. I can certainly understand the benefits of both.

  • @SchysCraftCo.
    @SchysCraftCo. 3 года назад +1

    That's very well said on that on running blacksmith battle. On gas vs coal. Great video Brett. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend. Forge on.

  • @MooreDoing
    @MooreDoing 3 года назад

    Great breakdown

  • @Matthew-ir1ed
    @Matthew-ir1ed 3 года назад +1

    I am a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar!
    This was a great summary of the differences/advantages between each system, thanks!

  • @forjanatalense
    @forjanatalense 3 года назад

    I love this channel omg

  • @ASCarvings
    @ASCarvings 3 года назад

    Thanks for the insight into coal and propane.

  • @stevemoore5053
    @stevemoore5053 Год назад

    Thanks for the video!

  • @bernardleighan3218
    @bernardleighan3218 3 года назад

    Thanks for the video. I have built myself a coal forge and was wondering if I should include a propane forge in my setup. You have helped me to answer that question. Thanks Cap’n.

    • @skullandspade
      @skullandspade  3 года назад

      They both have their purpose for sure

  • @Everythings_Adjustable
    @Everythings_Adjustable 3 года назад

    Very informative Matey 🔨🔨👍

  • @CrudeButEfficient
    @CrudeButEfficient 3 года назад

    Great breakdown!
    Both setups have their pros and cons, and if I had to choose I'm in camp coal. But they complement each other well, so if I had a forge area I would probably also go for one of each. Makes it easier to have hammer ins as well! 😁

    • @skullandspade
      @skullandspade  3 года назад +1

      Brilliant idea. They really do have their own merit. Glad I have both options now

    • @hunters36forgingwoodworkin73
      @hunters36forgingwoodworkin73 2 года назад

      With enough modifications a coal forge can run similar to gas. But it requires the breaking of some rules.

  • @raynoladominguez4730
    @raynoladominguez4730 3 года назад

    Educational; thank you sir.

  • @bruceb7120
    @bruceb7120 2 года назад

    Your video is very creative.

  • @whazee
    @whazee 3 года назад +3

    Gawd dang-it Bobby! There's only one type of forge you need. Propane!
    Propane with propane accessories!
    ...
    ...
    That boy ain't right...

  • @gurvinderkau1e5w18
    @gurvinderkau1e5w18 3 года назад

    Great video on propane and coal forge.l Iike coal forge more👍👍🔥🔥🔥

  • @mortenhenningsen940
    @mortenhenningsen940 3 года назад

    Short and simple

  • @MarkusWITH_a_k
    @MarkusWITH_a_k 2 года назад

    Love the review bro I would like to know which one would be cheaper when it comes to cost of fuel per hour

    • @skullandspade
      @skullandspade  2 года назад

      There are far too many variables like “how hot are you running it, how big is your stock, door open/closed, etc.” I’d bank on coal being less expensive overall, but it’s a lot harder to source than propane for most folks

  • @Code_Exodus
    @Code_Exodus 3 года назад

    Good topic.
    Have yet to buy my first forge but I plan to work with mild steel sheets so an open top coal forge is about it plus I'm low income.
    Besides with how bad luck follows me a propane forge is likely to blow my eyebrows off against all odds, I like to avoid compressed flammable containers as a rule in life.
    Also can't deny the fine tuned old world charm of coal forges.

    • @skullandspade
      @skullandspade  3 года назад +1

      There’s definitely old world charm attached to the coal forge

  • @garagemonkeysan
    @garagemonkeysan 3 года назад

    Great video, very informative. Lots of knowledge passed here. Were you playing with Jessie's toys in the intro? Mahalo for sharing! : )

  • @finnsailing69
    @finnsailing69 3 года назад +1

    9:34 "We call it... Mr volcano" with spaceballs vibe ;)

  • @phillipbrewster969
    @phillipbrewster969 3 года назад

    If you forged that metal skull will you do an episode on how you did it? Thats awsome. Great video im considering getting a forge now that I own my home. Im an electrician and have access to large amounts of metals...

  • @mattlambert3118
    @mattlambert3118 7 месяцев назад

    I didn't expect a reference to "Firefly".

  • @alanscannell
    @alanscannell 3 года назад +1

    That's a very food comparison between the two. It really depends on your needs. If I had to choose I'd choose both 😉

  • @anthonywoodland1741
    @anthonywoodland1741 3 года назад

    Well said

  • @cmw184
    @cmw184 Год назад +1

    Love the skulls lmao

  • @jackwriter1908
    @jackwriter1908 3 года назад +4

    Isn't there also something with the metal changing when you use coal?

    • @mossyhollow3732
      @mossyhollow3732 3 года назад +4

      You may be thinking of carbon adsorption which only can be achieved evenly with case hardening compounds. It's usually a bone carbon powder. Also, certain rare alloys will become damaged if overheated which is easier to do with coal. Wrought and mild steel won't be affected. It just sparks as it oxidizes.

    • @skullandspade
      @skullandspade  3 года назад +2

      Well said

  • @InsideAlan
    @InsideAlan 3 года назад

    Great run through of the issues/benefits of each. How long does a tank of propane last?

    • @skullandspade
      @skullandspade  3 года назад +2

      This is a 10 gallon and it’s been running for... around 12 hours on low psi over the last few sessions. I’m maybe half way through it

  • @techronmattic5876
    @techronmattic5876 3 года назад +2

    Hey Brett
    I've played around with blowing back the dragons breath from the opening of the gas forge to stop the overheating of the end you want to handle, might be something to consider for a followup video?

    • @mossyhollow3732
      @mossyhollow3732 3 года назад

      Do you mean you have a fan? I put a small blower right under my door pointed up and it helped a lot.

    • @Glaswalker1001
      @Glaswalker1001 3 года назад

      @@mossyhollow3732 that's actually a nice idea. I will try that.

    • @skullandspade
      @skullandspade  3 года назад

      There it is^

    • @techronmattic5876
      @techronmattic5876 3 года назад

      @@mossyhollow3732 yep im sure I've heard or seen a comment about it somewhere, but would love to see it in practice

    • @mossyhollow3732
      @mossyhollow3732 3 года назад +1

      Here ya go. Make sure to read the description. ruclips.net/video/sGm7qQsXTjA/видео.html

  • @davebauerart
    @davebauerart 3 года назад +1

    Great info! One thing I may have missed, did you mention shape or a piece. If you are making a knife or anything straight, most propane forges are great. If you are making some weird sculpture like Mount_Phillip_Metal_Works a coal forge might be more accommodating. (Learned that from Chris Cash, I'll probably still buy a small propane forge and then try to bend something and then learn it doesn't fit back in the forge.)

  • @bccycle1
    @bccycle1 3 года назад

    Enjoy your videos

  • @PaulFontaniniArtist
    @PaulFontaniniArtist 3 года назад +3

    Great video mate. The whole can a gas forge be used for forge welding thing is yes it can. Is it as easy as a solid fuel forge no it is not.

  • @randomschittz9461
    @randomschittz9461 2 года назад

    Wait till you use feed corn as fuel and see the most beautiful flame ever. I’m new to forging, but I love it.

  • @dirmusloner7963
    @dirmusloner7963 Год назад

    In my humble opinion charcoal or coal forges are always up and running, I am not underestimating propane forges, but I really like coal forges cause you can build them from a grill and it is a budget low to start. Also a coal forge let's you think how things started in blacksmith art, a little bit of history, call me romantic about this. Coal forge is my option.

  • @AndyCPugh
    @AndyCPugh 3 года назад +2

    How about pro-coal? A coal forge with extra burners, like an older style gas BBQ? Best of both worlds. ;)

  • @dragonstonegemironworkscra4740
    @dragonstonegemironworkscra4740 3 года назад

    I may not be very experienced in all this. However its just like a hammer or tongs. If you need wolf jaws and a crosspein...you need em but sometimes you need box jaw and rounding hammer.
    So coal forge complements propane just as propane compliments coal.
    Ultimate answer???
    Both.
    Every Smith should be able to use what best suits the current needs.
    Both fits the bill
    Loved the video captn
    🙏 Blessed day and well wishes Sir
    Crawford out ⚒️🧙‍♂️

  • @erikcourtney1834
    @erikcourtney1834 3 года назад +1

    My single 1”burner gas forge will weld wrought iron. At 8psi. I know you said it might be possible but I thought I’d chime in.

    • @skullandspade
      @skullandspade  3 года назад +1

      Wrought welds much easier than mild steel, which is what most beginners will be going after. Especially with flux and a heavy hammer

    • @erikcourtney1834
      @erikcourtney1834 3 года назад

      It welds much easier than mild steel, but requires higher heat. That’s what’s said anyway. I’ve never tested it so see if it indeed it true or not. I just know they both need way more than medium & high carbon steel.

  • @BulatsSchmiede
    @BulatsSchmiede 3 года назад

    Hi Brett!Thanks for showing!Gas or coal !? Depends on the area of application !I forge with coal !(beech charcol )And it works very well !Keep it up brett Greeting #Bulatsschmiede (The Blacksmith Bulat from germany)😎🤟

  • @RasmusLoen
    @RasmusLoen 3 года назад +1

    Well that solves it. Whenever a student ask, I'll just send them to you Capt'n. Take care of the green landlubbers, will you?

  • @starship3095
    @starship3095 2 года назад

    Gas sure is noisy, got to have a good coal ambience!

  • @KrakenCasting
    @KrakenCasting 3 года назад

    If you're looking to forge weld, coal/coke is a better option anyway. Not only is it easier to get to a higher temperature, but coke burns dry. Part of the chemical proccess that turns propane into fire makes water, which makes your steel oxidize faster. You don't get that problem with coke.

    • @Glaswalker1001
      @Glaswalker1001 3 года назад

      Coal doesn't burn dry either.
      It has a water content of up to 20% in anthracite and even coke isn't as dry as you seem to think.
      And there is more free air in coal forges than in gas ones.

    • @KrakenCasting
      @KrakenCasting 3 года назад +1

      @@Glaswalker1001 are you saying the internet has been lying to me for years?! Oh man... I feel so betrayed. XD Thanks for the info.

    • @Glaswalker1001
      @Glaswalker1001 3 года назад

      @@KrakenCasting yeah, I also thought that coal was dry as rock, but while visiting an old coal mine I was corrected.
      In that particular mine the coal was so moist that they jokingly referred to it as being "the only flame retardant coal in Germany".

  • @redstone71
    @redstone71 3 года назад +1

    The true argument is summed up in, "what do you want to do . . ." Like any tool, what you want to do should drive the tool you use and not the other way around.

  • @luciusirving5926
    @luciusirving5926 3 года назад

    I rarely use coal, but I'm sure that it'll put out a lot more heat via pumicecrete rocket stove than pine.

  • @michaelmadison1806
    @michaelmadison1806 3 года назад

    I bet you can cook a really nice brisket on one, and some hot dogs on the other. Nice!!! Reeeeeeal Nice.

  • @henrydavis6142
    @henrydavis6142 3 года назад

    you need to do some research on forced air propane or NG burners,they run hotter and more efficiently then The Venturi burner you are running

    • @skullandspade
      @skullandspade  3 года назад

      This was a comparison of these specific forges. If anyone wants to look into natural gas, I’ll send em your way

  • @forge52100
    @forge52100 3 года назад

    Pretty easy to forge weld with propane, little bit easier to forge weld with coal. When it comes to forge welding high carbon steel, propane is far superior since you don't run as much risk burning your steel. To me, it's more about isolation, when I'm doing hawks I prefer coal since it's easier to isolate sections vs propane where the whole thing gets hot. To me they both have strengths and weaknesses and compliment each other.

  • @austinhughes6852
    @austinhughes6852 3 года назад

    So it really just depends on your needs.And what your working with.

  • @briangingerich7632
    @briangingerich7632 3 года назад

    So are you saying no damascus with this propane forge,I'm asking because I was considering buying this one?

    • @skullandspade
      @skullandspade  3 года назад +1

      It’s possible, just takes a lot more effort to get the heat necessary.

  • @girunit1387
    @girunit1387 3 года назад

    Wait...Ix is a pirate skull....you were playing with dinasours.... Did you also reference an MTG set in your intro?

  • @jlarts
    @jlarts 3 года назад

    Can I ask a stupid question? I don't understand how your steel stock doesn't just transfer the heat from the forge all the way along its length. I always thought steel was good at conducting heat that's why if you have steel (albeit stainless) handles on pans that you leave on the stove it will burn your hand if you just grab it without some kind of glove. Yet I see you grab that piece of stock with no gloves on and no problem. I know you explained how the propane forge pushes excess heat out the front which can then heat the rest of the piece but I still don't get how the steel just doesn't transfer the heat by itself. 🤔

    • @skullandspade
      @skullandspade  3 года назад +1

      Honestly, it’s a bit of magic (albeit science) from my perspective. I didn’t really understand how that worked either until I was exposed to it. If I had to hazard a guess: since the air for the coal forge is fed from underneath, and hot air rises (path of least resistance) the hot spot is so consolidated that the speed at which the material heats up inside compared to the bit hanging outside isn’t enough to soak back between working time. I HAVE left a bar in the coal fire (on low air) for a bit, and it has soaked back enough to make the steel pretty damn hot. Again, I think it has more to do with the speed and size of the heat source. Hence, covering the material with a bit of “cold” coal acts as a barrier, since it’ll will pull heat out of the material before it runs up the rest of the bar.

  • @jgclark45
    @jgclark45 3 года назад

    both have their pluses. Just get the metal hot and hit it hard

  • @Aaron_Barrett
    @Aaron_Barrett Год назад

    How deep your fire pot is?

  • @daviddesvaux9786
    @daviddesvaux9786 2 года назад

    Coal forge has a nice advantage though : no risk of exploding to your face.

    • @skullandspade
      @skullandspade  2 года назад

      Mayhaps. But then again, a proper gas forge should never do that

  • @sethterro4809
    @sethterro4809 3 года назад

    Best TV show ever I can't believe the movie killed him off

  • @thegreenpenny9876
    @thegreenpenny9876 Год назад

    So is rhe coals not dangerous to burn?

    • @skullandspade
      @skullandspade  9 месяцев назад

      Danger is relative. In a forge, most aspects are dangerous

  • @archerkn2413
    @archerkn2413 2 года назад

    Umm, at 6:35 that does look forge weldable.

    • @skullandspade
      @skullandspade  2 года назад

      Camera exposure and lighting is a thing

  • @seangere9698
    @seangere9698 3 года назад

    What about carbon loss and retention in high carbon steel? Dont you loose more carbon in your steel with propane vs coal/coke.

    • @mossyhollow3732
      @mossyhollow3732 3 года назад

      You cannot loose carbon from steel at forging temperatures. The carbon % will not change unless it's heated to about 6,400°F. For years I've heard that scale is carbon being lost. It's not. It's simply the liquid steel surface becoming oxidized.

    • @Glaswalker1001
      @Glaswalker1001 3 года назад +1

      It's the same myth like coal fire heightening the carbon in the metal.
      That doesn't happen at those low temperatures and over those short periods of time.
      Well, unless you are using some nasty chemicals to speed up this process while lowering the necessary temperature for the reaction.

    • @skullandspade
      @skullandspade  3 года назад

      I believe the comments below express some ideas on that front

    • @seangere9698
      @seangere9698 3 года назад

      Ok was just wondering if it was true or not. I've heard both thoughts and wasn't sure either way. I know there's ways to add carbon to iron to make it a steel in a forge but wasn't sure if you could lose carbon as well.

  • @jebowlin3879
    @jebowlin3879 3 года назад

    I would imagine the debate is irrelevant when you consider your needs as a blacksmith, if you never have a need to forge weld something, then propane is more than enough, that being said, there are some blacksmiths that have larger "higher end" gas forges that get the job done, but like I always say, you use what you want and let the outsiders worry about the small things

  • @fishbonker8427
    @fishbonker8427 3 года назад

    Both undoubtedly heat steel but the coal forge is so much quieter. I just don't like the continual roar of a propane forge.

  • @almightybot3176
    @almightybot3176 3 года назад

    Hello

  • @lostmypicks
    @lostmypicks Год назад

    OK so hear me out. Lining he bottom of a Gas forge with coal?

  • @jeramibanks3276
    @jeramibanks3276 2 года назад

    At the risk of sounding foolish, how is the propane forge not hot enough to forge weld?

    • @skullandspade
      @skullandspade  2 года назад

      It can absolutely be done with certain propane forges, but this “affordable” model doesn’t quite get to the temperatures I would need. Standard operating on this runs around 1800-1900 degrees. On mild steel, I’d want to push over 2000, or a nice yellow color.

  • @jonasgoers3073
    @jonasgoers3073 3 года назад

    For the algorithm

  • @Glaswalker1001
    @Glaswalker1001 3 года назад

    Uhm... Actually: although you can control the heat better in a gas forge, it WILL burn your stock.
    As it's not the heat that burns steel, it's heat plus oxygen and there's still some oxygen in those gas forges.

    • @mossyhollow3732
      @mossyhollow3732 3 года назад

      If your piece is directly under the burner you can still get hot spots even at lower forge temperatures. The old saying of too many irons in the fire comes to play.

    • @Glaswalker1001
      @Glaswalker1001 3 года назад

      @@mossyhollow3732 although this is a true and well known fact it has nothing to do with my argument.
      That's like saying: "but in a coal forge, if you just put the metal on top of the fire it won't get hot enough to weld. " a bit of a non sequitur.

    • @skullandspade
      @skullandspade  3 года назад

      Darius, I tried following your account to see if you had any videos sharing your knowledge. Valuable stuff! What’s your background in smithing? (Metalwork?)

    • @Glaswalker1001
      @Glaswalker1001 3 года назад

      @@skullandspade I'm afraid not. I wish I would have learned some real trade, but I'm just an engineer. I'm blacksmithing for about 10 years now, but only as a hobby and to balance out the office job. I'm making tools and some decorative ironwork most of the time.
      And some show smiting at something Americans would call renfair I guess?

    • @RasmusLoen
      @RasmusLoen 3 года назад

      @@Glaswalker1001 Well actually ... Brett should probably have told the newbies about the fundamentals of thermodynamics and crystalline structure of steel, just to make sure there's no magic left in it, and of course to utterly overwhelm them with necessary information ^^

  • @brianmoore1180
    @brianmoore1180 3 года назад

    Taste the meat not the heat

  • @tree_carcass_mangler
    @tree_carcass_mangler 3 года назад

    Thanks for the education. Thumbs up and smooth sailing!
    (Somehow I became unsubbed to your channel; never fear, that was unintentional and I'm back.)

  • @dereksstuff8395
    @dereksstuff8395 3 года назад

    Kids.....

  • @TheBobbytables
    @TheBobbytables 3 года назад

    Oh Wash :(

  • @s.sradon9782
    @s.sradon9782 2 года назад

    the intro is just him being schizo