Traditional Muzzleloading on the Cheap

Member’s Work Bench => Blacksmithing => Topic started by: ErikPrice1@msn.com on March 26, 2011

Title: Coal
Post by: ErikPrice1@msn.com on March 26, 2011
 Getting ready to start pounding metal, don't want to buy my coal off of FEEBAY but am having trouble finding places to purchase, especially out west. Any ideas. I wouldn't even mind if I have to purchase in 50 or 100 lb lots.
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: old salt on March 26, 2011
I do not know if this is a good price or not, but go to the link and the click on coal and coke

http://www.centaurforge.com/default.asp (http://www.centaurforge.com/default.asp)

Hope this helps
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: ErikPrice1@msn.com on March 26, 2011
That is exactly what I'm looking for, not too bad a price either, a little 20lb box off feebay was 25.00 plus shipping. Will have to figure out how much I will start to go through then order enough so I don't have down time.  Thanks old salt.
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: ErikPrice1@msn.com on March 26, 2011
Was looking around a little this site sells 50lb bag of smithing coal $15.00 plus shipping. Not Bad http://www.penncoal.com/default.php
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: dfoster on March 27, 2011
I've gotten to where I prefer to use natural lump charcoal. It tends to burn a little faster but I can get it easy as they carry it at most grocery stores, Wal-Mart, hardware stores, etc. Works real well.
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: Hawken50 on March 27, 2011
 (susp) Hey Daniel,is it the stuff ya barbecue with or somethin else.I didnt think it would last long enough.
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: ErikPrice1@msn.com on March 27, 2011
One of the guys here tried charcoal said he was going through about a $10.00 bag every four hours or so. Just found two sites here in oregon that sell coal, mostly for farriers , wonder if its the right size. This site has lists for coal sellers per state, about 15.00 per 50 lb sack .http://www.fholder.com/Blacksmithing/coal.htm
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: twobarrel on March 27, 2011
The coal sold to farriers will work fine. Been using it since the sixties.
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: Stumblin Wolf on March 27, 2011
I get my "general work" coal from a feed store for $7 per 50# or $28 a 1/4 ton - my "good stuff" sewell seam west virginia stuff I get at an Amish stove shop for $12.50 per 50# but I bet there ain't much Amish up in yer neck of the woods! ;D
Best to try and find a local place; shipping will kill ya. Even if you have to drive 200 miles, get a truckload instead of fooling with the 50#bags
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: dfoster on March 27, 2011
Quote from: Hawken50 on March 27, 2011
(susp) Hey Daniel,is it the stuff ya barbecue with or somethin else.I didnt think it would last long enough.

Aye sir. Like I said burns faster but works.

I started using it because availability of coal in the metro Atlanta area was scarce and a bit pricey when I did find it. And as SW said, shipping will kill ya. I was able to bring about 300# back from Ky last time I was up at Dad's farm. Can't turn free down.

Something else to keep in mind, keeping with the "on the Cheap" theme of this site. If you have hardwood available, you can make your own lump charcoal for a little of nothing.  dntn
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: Stumblin Wolf on March 27, 2011
and you could go over to anvilfire dot com and see if theres any info on there (warning- big site!)
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: dfoster on March 27, 2011
Thanks for the link, Matt. I thought I already had it in my favorites, but not. Lots of good information there.
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: ErikPrice1@msn.com on March 27, 2011
Alot of good info floating around here, thanks to all. thmbsup
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: monkeywright on April 04, 2011
well here is a a idea for you that may work out for ya you may try to get a hold of your local power plants that if they are still coal fired you can get good coal there but it's going to take a little time to get to know the right people but..... it would kill your shipping charge and with luck you can get them to dump ya a truck load so loading it wouldn't take no time at all
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: ErikPrice1@msn.com on April 04, 2011
Quote from: monkeywright on April 04, 2011
well here is a a idea for you that may work out for ya you may try to get a hold of your local power plants that if they are still coal fired you can get good coal there but it's going to take a little time to get to know the right people but..... it would kill your shipping charge and with luck you can get them to dump ya a truck load so loading it wouldn't take no time at all
I didn't think of that, good idea thmbsup
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: ErikPrice1@msn.com on April 05, 2011
Just got my shipping quote from the coal people guess I'll look elsewhere for it. (susp) I'll try the power plants.
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: Stumblin Wolf on April 07, 2011
theres some coal fields in Washington State, so there GOT to be coal available somewhere!
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: ErikPrice1@msn.com on April 09, 2011
Still haven't found any here still looking but found a extra large 20 lb bag of charcoal at wally world for 5.00. Thats 60 lbs for 15.00 it'll work for now.
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: Blackfeet on April 09, 2011
You have Aubuchon hardware stores out there? They were stocking 'Blacksmithing coal' around here.
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: crazell on April 09, 2011
Blackfeet we don't have those stores out here..
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: Blackfeet on April 09, 2011
you want me to check it out for you? I am assuming that the shipping will be high but ya never know
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: ErikPrice1@msn.com on April 09, 2011
Quote from: Blackfeet on April 09, 2011
You have Aubuchon hardware stores out there? They were stocking 'Blacksmithing coal' around here.
Hey blackfeet there affiliated with orchard aren' t they. If not check for me , thank you
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: Red Badger on April 11, 2011
Look into finding and joining your local association, I joined the Saltfork Blacksmith Assoc. and will be getting my coal for 7 cents a pound from one of three association stockpiles here in the state...
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: ErikPrice1@msn.com on April 11, 2011
Thats a great deal, just tried to find some here, closest was washington and cali, I haven't found any here in oregon yet. Thanks for the tip Red Badger.
Title: Re: Coal
Post by: old salt on April 11, 2011
BrokenHawk

Try this, list blaksmiths

http://oregon.uscity.net/Blacksmith/ (http://oregon.uscity.net/Blacksmith/)