Chat with a farrier made me change how I set my forge's air intake

I was at the county fair in Salem last week, just watching the horseshoe contest, and got talking to one of the farriers. I mentioned my coal forge was running a bit dirty and he asked me a simple thing: 'How many inches is your tuyere pipe off the firepot floor?' I told him maybe four, which is what my old teacher showed me. He just shook his head and said, 'Try two and a half. You're pulling too much cold air under the fire, wasting fuel and making clinker.' I went home and adjusted it that night. The difference was huge. The fire got way hotter and cleaner, and I used less coal for the same heat. It's one of those tiny details you never think to question. Has anyone else messed with their tuyere height and seen a big change?

2 comments

2 Comments

olivia_chen358d ago

Man, that's so real. I've totally been there with my own forge lol.

james_clark8d ago

Yeah it's funny how that feeling pops up everywhere. Like when you finally fix that squeaky door hinge after months, or get your phone photos sorted into folders. That little win of taking control over some small, annoying thing. Makes the whole day feel a bit more yours, you know? What was the last thing you fixed just to get it off your mind?