DIY forge build: Propane vs. coal heat comparison

[forgeandforget]

I'm thinking about building my own forge but can't pick between propane and coal. If you've worked with both, what do you think about how easy they are to control the heat, how much they cost, and just how easy they are to use in general?

 

[Ohio Rusty]

Coal burns alot hotter. It is easier to burn up the piece you are working on by giving it too much heat and not paying attention. Just this weekend I had a student who wanted to try forging burn up two pieces we were working on. The one advantage of having that much heat is for forge welding two pieces of metal together into one. If you live in a community near lots of houses, a gas forge is a better bet as coal tends to put out alot of acrid smelling smoke when it is first started.
Ohio Rusty ><>