George it runs very well, not noisey i would recomend any one to bye one. how could you not like it Those shoes are 1 1/4 x 1/2
Wish Icould say I've used coke more, but I played around with it the last couple weeks of school, and then at contests, but I love the heat. Messier to work with but the finished steel comes out nicer. Didn't spend more time with it because it'll be a while before I could ever consider adding a coke fire to the operation, so I figured it was best to master what I'd have have to work with on a daily basis.
I have no access to coke, but I do enjoy my coal forge. Especially when working thicker steel - 10mm or bigger. As Smitty says gives a much softer heat, steel is cleaner, you can centrallize the heat to an area. I'd work coal over gas, but for a mobile forge, gas has got it beat. Cleaner, safer on the road, less times used. No problems welding in gas.
That's because you're using coke. Using coal, it smokes until the coal turns into coke. I got a vent going up. One thing I would change if I had it to do all over is get a side blast. It would allow me to work longer lengths easier.
Might go the forge this morning to sharpen a few things i like dressing my pritchels in the coke fire.
I could really see that shoe working on some thin walled horses I shoe...using half rounds now...but want that kind of purchase with the nails well set like that..what size shoe would this be an O ? What length of 5/8 square did you use? Thanks great shoe...
I remember when i was an app 12 horses came to the forge one day all got sets. and shoes were made for some of them.
