The old coal forge at the county fairgrounds still gets it done

Last week I fired up the old coal forge down at the county fairgrounds in Easton for a demo day. That thing has been sitting in that same shed since I first started visiting 15 years ago, and it still burns better than half the new propane rigs I see. Three years ago I switched my own shop to gas, figured it was the modern way, but watching that coal fire hit a clean welding heat reminded me what I gave up. The smoke and the grit are a pain, sure, but there is a rhythm to managing a coal fire that you just don't get with a regulator and a dial. I ended up forging a set of ten hooks for the fair board in under two hours, no rush, just steady work. Any of you still running coal on a regular basis, or am I just being an old timer about this?

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