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PSA: I stopped using my 3-burner propane forge for Damascus and switched to a simple charcoal trench.
I was burning through way too much gas trying to get those perfect welds on my pattern welded billets. After a tip from an old smith at the Ohio Valley Blacksmiths meet, I dug a 2-foot long trench in my yard, filled it with hardwood charcoal, and used a hairdryer for air. The heat is way more even and controllable for stacking. Has anyone else gone back to solid fuel for specific jobs like this?
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barbaramorgan9d agoTop Commenter
Totally get where you're coming from. I had the same fight with my gas forge on my last mosaic pin attempt. Switched to a coke fire in my old rivet forge just for that weld and it was a night and day difference. Something about the softer heat from solid fuel just lets the layers settle in without as much stress. Felt like I was actually working the metal instead of fighting the fire.
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