Looking back at my first forge setup versus what I run today

When I started out twenty years ago, my forge was a simple coal pot I built from an old brake drum and a hair dryer for a blower. I spent more time managing the fire than actually shaping shoes. The heat was never even, and I'd lose a whole afternoon just trying to get a good welding heat. About eight years ago, I switched to a propane forge from a company called Majestic. It was a game changer. I can set the temperature, the heat is clean and steady, and I'm not breathing in coal smoke all day. I miss the feel of a coal fire sometimes, but the control and speed I have now lets me focus on the fit and finish of the shoe. Has anyone else made that switch and found they could take on more complex work because of it?

3 comments

3 Comments

paul_owens252d agoMost Upvoted

Dave from down the street had his coal forge for like fifteen years before he caved and got a propane setup. @janab82 knows what I'm talking about when I say the first time you fire up a gas forge it feels like cheating almost. I still pull out the old coal pot maybe twice a year when I want to feel like a real blacksmith again, but my propane forge is what pays the bills.

david7391mo ago

You mentioned missing the feel of a coal fire. A buddy of mine was the same way, a real traditionalist. He fought switching to gas for years. Then he finally got a good propane forge and it was like a wall came down. He told me he suddenly had the brain space to figure out scrollwork he'd always messed up, because he wasn't fighting the fire every minute. He still lights up the coal forge once in a while for old times' sake, but all his real work gets done with gas now.

janab821mo ago

My first gas forge was a Diamondback Ironworks two burner I got five years back. It was exactly like what david739 said about his buddy, that wall coming down. I could finally try making those fancy hand-forged hinges without the coal fire dying on me at the wrong moment. My work got cleaner because I wasn't rushing. I still love the smell of coal, but my propane tank gets all the heavy lifting done now.