Coal Forge Handbook

Compiled and illustrated by Stephen McGehee
Published by ABANA,, 2003
43 pages, spiral bound, 8½” by 11” format, with text, illustrations, plans and a list of resources.

Stephen McGehee, the publisher of “IRONY: The Sketchbook of an Apprentice Blacksmith”, has pulled together information about coal forges from a number of different sources: books, newsletters, internet forums, other blacksmith publications and blacksmiths themselves. Chances are that with a little bit of searching you, yourself can find most of this information in its original sources. However, McGehee has brought it all together in one place.

Among other skills, McGehee is a skilled illustrator and he has redrawn many of the illustrations and plans. Another strength is that he is an electrician and has some pages devoted to wiring up electric blowers and speed controls. He has also included short sections on burning charcoal and commercial coke.

The book, actually a good-size pamphlet, brings together all of the elements necessary to building a coal forge, the fire pit, chimney, and air supply. He provides a number of options for each of these critical aspects. He covers the basics from a small portable forge on up to large scale masonry and concrete projects. This publication shows you how really easy it is to get started forging with coal. And how inexpensive it can be (or how elaborate it can be if you want to go in that direction).

Available from ABANA

Book Review by Albin Drzewianowski

-- AlbinDrzewianowski - 13 Feb 2008