Cant find Coal for forging in or around seattle-tacoma area

[xm193]

Does anybody know where you can buy coal for forging around seatac area?

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[jbett98]

Only one listed in WA:

Central Fuel, 1945 S. Market Blvd., Chehalis, WA 98532. TEL: (360) 748-8808. Bring your own containers.

 

[xm193]

thanks jbett buy its at least 50 miles one way to purchase 13.00 of coal

 

[Jamie6.5]

Blacksmiths have used charcoal from wood for centuries.
Why the need for coal?

 

[xm193]

making charcoal from wood is a rather involved process

 

[Jamie6.5]

True, but you can buy it most any grocery store, or BiMart, or Lowes/HomeDepot.
Just google "natural lump charcoal." It's not pressed briquets, it's actually chunks of wood charcoal.
Our local Safeway, as well as Roth's carries it made from Mesquite, and Hickory too I believe.

 

[Mark W.]

Its hard to get a Charcoal fire hot enough for welding. Coke works MUCH better and is cleaner.

Take the drive and buy what you need unless you can talk them into pouring some in a flat rate box and mailing it LOL.

 

[jbett98]

You have to ask yourself, is this hobby worth all the trouble? I come up with all sorts of excuses when I pursue mine. Try running an ad on Craigslist or some other forum and see if you can share some of the expense. Who knows, there may be a market in your area.

 

[Jamie6.5]

The hobby blacksmith in my old neighborhood used wood charcoal exclusively.
He had a blower made from an old blow-dryer and made everything from froes and axe heads, to hinges, latches and tongs.
He repaired a number of pieces of antique farm implements too, sometimes forge-welding stuff back together.

It was fun to just watch him work, and he made it look so easy.

 

[xm193]

thanks jamie that did the trick

 

[Gunwheeler]

Used to be a company in Tacoma called Star Fuel and Ice. I still see their trucks don't know if they still sell coal. In the Black Diamond area is Palmer Coking Coal company. Want to dig you own head for Selleck, Kanasket, Palmer, Bain, Cumberland, Wilkerson, Carbonado areas. Also their used to be a company listed in Seattle but in White Center. Roslyn, Cle Elum the stuff is all over in the Northwest.

 

[xm193]

thanks gunwheeler was making a knife as gift to grandson ... i bought natural charcoal from target it got the temp up high enough to forge with.

 

[Jamie6.5]

thanks jamie that did the trick

Awesome! I see you do the blow dryer thing too.

I hadn't thought of a knife from a railroad spike. Pretty cool.

Do we get to see pics of the finished product?

 

[xm193]

when its done no problem

 

[Jamie6.5]

Awesome! Lucky kid too.
Good job Gramps

Can't wait.

 

[elsie]

You might try checking with some of the local SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) or Rendezvous re-enactors around that area. I know the SCA has quite a few smiths and if they don't know of a local source, then maybe you can buy some off of them or go in for a group purchase the next time someone needs to restock.


elsie

 

[xm193]

update on knife came out of forge only hammers and hand files started profiling

 

[Jamie6.5]

That is so cool! Good start, and a nice shape for all-around use, and should be good for skinning as well.

Please keep us updated on your progress, this is something that would be really fun to try IMO.

Skills like that are a key component to "prepping" too.
I hope the SHTF folks are paying attention.

 

[Sabertooth]

My Grandfather was a blacksmith. I used to watch him when I could, he made working with iron look so simple. Did I ever get a education when I built my first forge! Coal was a short 30 mile drive away and I would buy 200 lbs at a time. Where I live now I use Propane, cost more but I don't do much blacksmith work any more.