Hello from Hawaii

[TannerJ]

Hello, my name is Tanner and I recently moved to hawaii. I've just started blacksmithing (last week) and wanted to meet other blacksmiths that I could learn from. I live in the Kaneohe bay area. If anyone else is around there feel free to pass along some advice. (where you get your coal, what you use for...). Thank you!

[Bruce Macmillan]

Hi Tanner, I don't know for sure but I think coal or coke might be very expensive or unavailable in Hi, I'd look into a gas forge.........

[Daryl]

Tanner

There are a few guys around, one on Maui, two for sure on the big island. I know Tai Lake was trying to bring some coal in, you can google him or they just had a collaboration at his place a couple weeks ago. You can check out Hawaii Artist Collaboration on face book maybe get some info there. Best of luck.

Daryl

[TannerJ]

Tanner

There are a few guys around, one on Maui, two for sure on the big island. I know Tai Lake was trying to bring some coal in, you can google him or they just had a collaboration at his place a couple weeks ago. You can check out Hawaii Artist Collaboration on face book maybe get some info there. Best of luck.

Daryl

Thanks for the tips. I know that Craig Hashimito(?) lives near me. As for the fuel, I use Kiawe charcoal. Its 10 dollars a bag which is about 8 lbs. Its expensive, but its the only real charcoal I can find. Im thinking of using kingsford briquettes but I dont know if they will get hot enough. I really want to know where craig gets his fuel. A gas forge is too expensive for me. I also checked out Tai Lake and the collaboration. So far however I'm running on the basics. I have a forge, a hammer, and a rock(anvil). I made tongs too(they work but they dont seem sturdy and they dont have the gripping power of tongs I see in other videos). If any of you know where to find cheaper charcoal please let me know. So far I've gone through 20 dollars of charcoal and have nothing to show for it but the tongs. So far I've spent around $40 on everything and have no returns. I hope to sell the things I make so that they can pay for themselves but with shipping being $30, fuel being $10 and the steel being $5 its not looking so good. I also want to get a new forge since were using a chimney starter right now, want to get an Old Smokey grill and line it with fire clay.
Well, thanks to all of you - Good night.

[Daryl]

It sounds like you are off to a good start, I was going to suggest charcoal. I did once find a source of free charcoal while camping, the park people would clean out the fire pits and had several barrels sitting by the maintenance area. I thought it would be worth a try but didn't want to take it with out asking. I buy Charcoal at Wal-mart it is about the cheapest I can find. You might want to ask Craig where he gets his.

About a year ago Tai was looking for a source of coal, he had done a lot of looking and could not find any in Hawaii. I think if there was enough interest to share the cost in bring a container in he would.

I believe Craig also uses an induction forge, it has the up front cost but is most likely the cheapest to run.

[TannerJ]

It sounds like you are off to a good start, I was going to suggest charcoal. I did once find a source of free charcoal while camping, the park people would clean out the fire pits and had several barrels sitting by the maintenance area. I thought it would be worth a try but didn't want to take it with out asking. I buy Charcoal at Wal-mart it is about the cheapest I can find. You might want to ask Craig where he gets his.

About a year ago Tai was looking for a source of coal, he had done a lot of looking and could not find any in Hawaii. I think if there was enough interest to share the cost in bring a container in he would.

I believe Craig also uses an induction forge, it has the up front cost but is most likely the cheapest to run.

Thanks for the help. But do you know if that kingsford charcoal is hot enough? I've been buying the real expensive lump charcoal. I also agree on the induction forge. Ive seen videos of them and they look amazing, turning metal orange hot in less than a minute. Do you know the energy costs on them though? Electricity is really expensive here, around 4 times that on the mainland(I could be wrong). I am also going to look for a sledge hammer soon, It would really increase our productivity. I'm going to wait on an anvil untill I meet Craig - he may have a really good idea for an anvil. Thanks again!

[Daryl]

I'm told Kingsford briquettes don't work, or that they are a poor fuel.

[TannerJ]

I'm told Kingsford briquettes don't work, or that they are a poor fuel.

I've heard a similar thing but a review on my charcoal(kiawe charcoal) says that is is average compared to charcoal briquettes. It said it burned at 887 degrees farenheight. Now if only I knew how hot kingsford burns I could make a decision.

[Pete Kielty]

Hi Tanner; In 2008 there was a guy named Phil Dwyer at the CBA spring conference in Vista. He was a school teacher in the Honolulu area and in the process of setting up a shop for a blacksmithing class. I don't what he was using for heat or if he is still around but possibly another source of info for you. Good luck. Pete

[J Wilson]

...Now if only I knew how hot kingsford burns I could make a decision.

Any published heat value for BBQ charcoal is likely not going to reflect the heat it will produce in a forced draft/forge/blown fire.

Look up the data on the Kingsford website. It reads like there is a lot of junk in the BBQ Briquette to optimize it for BBQing. Not the best for forge work.
So, in your shoes, I'd buy a bag and try it. Let us know the results.