My son has made a small forge and used charcoal in it . He was successful in making a few nails he can use in making replica Viking shields, but coal would work better.

Coal is not common here in South Texas, but he can buy it online. My thought is - Does anyone here on Tool Talk have any ? I would be willing to pay postage on a large flat rate box of real coal. I don't have any idea what coal costs. Is it expensive?

Do you have a Tractor supply near by?
not the best forge welding coal but burns hot and cheaper.https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/premium-nut-coal

Local Tractor Supply doesn't have it, and the home page says mot available in any TSP store within 100 miles.

Papaw, how far are you from these people? They have blacksmith coal listed on their website

http://www.texasfarriersupply.com/products.php?cat=44

I have plenty of coal and I'm willing to send you some if Texas farrier supply isnt close. Just let me know!

They are several hundred miles away and I can't find a shipping cost without adding myself to their email list. then I see this in the cart- "The requested service is unavailable to residential destinations." Now I find shipping a 50# bag from them would be $48.59 !!!!!

How much do you want for some coal? I am sure whatever will fit in a Large Flat Rate Box would be enough to learn with.

Check on regional rate boxes, too - sometimes cheaper than flat rate, depending on how far apart the parties are.

Papaw, please give me your mailing address and I'll get you some headed your way!!! I have a barrel of poco coal Which I'm not using anymore. I've pretty much gone to propane.

Bill Davis

Noel C Hankamer
1711 W Willis St
Alvin, Texas 77511-5775
Happy to pay you for it or at least for the postage.

Papaw, I couldn't charge you for this! I'm glad to be able to help you!! Diana found a flat rate box. Tomorrow we will get coal in it and tape it up so it will survive the trip!! I hope

Thanks !!

the hardwood charcoal works better than briquettes but when ya want to try it go with what you have!!!

We used regular BBQ briquettes and got some results, but it won't get hot enough and stay hot as long as coal will.

I grew up with a coal furnace in our house, remember well getting up on cold mornings and going to the basement to shovel coal and stoke the fire. After I was grown and moved out, she had a natural gas burner installed in the furnace and still kept a ton of coal in the bin just incase the gas ran out. This was 60s and 70s, downtown Louisville.

When we went to Philadelphia to see my uncle in '99 , I saw his coal chute and old coal furnace that he kept operative just in case.