A coal forge is a hearth that uses coal to heat metal for shaping. It includes a brazier, hearth, and fan to supply fuel and air. Blacksmiths use it to create tools and horseshoes, and modern designs use electric fans for airflow.
A coal forge is a hearth that uses coal as fuel for a fire that will allow a blacksmith or other worker to heat the metal to high enough temperatures to make it malleable. The system includes several components that help fuel the fire, including a moving fan or bellows, a brazier where the coals will burn, and a hearth where the fuel is stored before burning. The primary source of fuel for a coal forge is, of course, coal.
To keep the coal forge hot, fuel must be constantly supplied to the brazier and air must constantly stoke the flames. To accomplish this supply, a fan is mounted near the system and blows air through a tube known as a hose. The air delivered through this system will cause immense heat in the center of the bowl, thus burning the charcoal into coke. The coke will surround the hot core of the fire, and this is where the metal worker is likely to heat the metal, as the temperature of the coke can be more consistently regulated than the fire itself.
Blacksmiths throughout history have used the coal forge to create tools, horseshoes, and other metal items used for home or work. Various metals can be worked in a charcoal forge and are heated until they are malleable. The smith can then shape the metal into the required shape; as the metal cools, it takes on a hard shape. In some cases, the smith might rapidly cool the piece by immersing it in water, which can increase the piece’s strength. However, this process can also cause cracks in the metal, so it’s not always the best practice.
The overall function of a coal forge has changed very little over the centuries, although the specific designs have changed. In the past, the best method of providing air to the fire was the use of bellows, which are essentially hand blowers. More modern variations of the charcoal forge design use electric fans to provide a constant, easily adjustable airflow to the fire. The configuration of the brazier and the hearth itself can vary depending on the blacksmith’s needs, although many modern designs are still based on traditional designs.
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