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Steel
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Coal
For over a decade, our shop and most of the members have been using metalurgical grade coal fines. This consists of small granules and dust. It is mixed with water into a slurry and packed around the fire. The fire drives out the gasses and fuses the particles into a porous nearly pure carbon coke. The coke is raked into the fire to produce clean heat suitable for forging and forge welding. Our supply has been used up and we have been searching for a replacement.
For blacksmithing, we need metalurgical coal which burns hotter and cleaner than thermal or "heating" coal. East of Hinton, the coal is all the bituminous thermal type. The metalurgical bituminous coal comes from areas west of Hinton in the Cadomin and Grande Cache areas.
We have recently purchased coal from the Grande Cache Coal mine. It is a matter of contacting the right people on a day when they are operational. We have tried the coal, and it is good for blacksmithing, although some batches do develop clinkers.
We have tried bituminous thermal coal from one of the best seams in the Wabamun / Sundance area and could not get enough heat for practical forging.
We have used sub-bituminous thermal coal from Ryley (Dodds Coal Mine) with marginal success.
According to their website http://www.doddscoalmine.com , the coal sold at the mine has the following specs:
BTUs per pound : 8000 to 8500, Ash Content : Approximately 8%,
Sulphur : less than 0.05%, Moisture : 20 to 25%.
This coal should be broken down to smaller pieces under one inch in size. It produces more ash than the metalurgical grade, but if you don't crank the blower too hard it will work for about half an hour until the clinker blocks the airfow too much. We have successfully forge welded with it. The coal does not coke or stick together like some of the better grades of coal. Since the heat output per pound is lower, you must continuously feed the fire. The large amount of coal used results in a large clinker in about half an hour, and becomes a pain to clean out so often. They sell the coal in any quantity you need at a good price. You should try some before you buy a truck load to make sure it meets your expectations.
The best coal we can get locally is from Home Hardware. It is currently $62.99 for a 70 Lb Bag, and is only available from the Sherwood Park store off Wye Road between Canadian Tire and Walmart at :
197 Ordze Avenue
Sherwood Park, AB T8B 1M6
(780) 417-0696
(The other Home Hardware stores won't know what you are talking about.)
Although this coal is expensive, it is very easy to use and very little is wasted.
We do not offer any extensive courses, but we can provide a basic hands-on one day introduction for new members. New members get a one-on-one introduction to the use of the tools and forge, and get to make a couple of projects.
If you want formal instruction, check out:
NAIT Continuing Education Services: www.nait.ca
(search for "blacksmithing" under "continuing education".)
Front Step Forge …(780) 468-1812 www.frontstepforge.com
The Complete Modern Blacksmith by Alexander Weygers
(try Lee Valley Tools Ltd)
A Blacksmithing Primer by Randy McDaniel
The New Edge of the Anvil by Jack Andrews
We are affiliated with The Artist Blacksmith’s Association of
North America: www.abana.org
For excellent blacksmithing and metalworking information, check out
Anvilfire at: www.anvilfire.com
I Forge Iron at: http://www.iforgeiron.com
If you are starting out, and need some small pieces of steel, you can buy flat bar and round mild steel at Home Depot or Canadian Tire. The shiny cold rolled (1018) steel tends to be expensive and is not necessary. Use the cheaper hot rolled steel which appears black due the mill scale that is on it.
It is much more economical to buy steel in 20-foot lengths from a steel supplier (They will cut it in half for you so you can get it home). You can buy round, square or flat bar (hot rollled structural steel, A36). This material is suitable or decorative items and tools such as tongs and some punches and fullers.
Try Edmonton Supply (currently in the process of moving to Sherwood Park) or General Steel (11917-156 St NW, Edmonton).
For better punches, hammers, chisels and cutting tools, you will need to have higher carbon steel that can be hardened and tempered. Truck axles, leaf springs, coil springs and other suitable high carbon scrap is frequently used.
Hand tools are available from Home Hardware, Princess Auto or Acklands Grainger. If you are a member of ABANA, you may qualify for a discount- check with ABANA.
Members are encouraged to make their own tools and improvise. If you need larger items such as anvils, leg vises or forges, talk to our members- they may know of auctions or private sales.
Knife Making Supplies
