LOFL! When I looked at the other picture it sure looked like a golf putter. Now I see it better. And it looks like a handy little tool for the fire! (I still think a golf putter would work though.)
I never said my rake separated ash from coals, the original post was to show your tools you use. That I did and my rake works well for what I want it for and that is to drag the big pile of coals in the back of the stove forward so I can give them some air and burn them down. After they burn down I use the rake to spread them back some and flatten out a bit before a reload.
I just whipped up an ash rake last night down the shop. Before that all I had was the poker I made and an old heavy shovel. Can't wait to try the rake out.
My shop stoves have an ash tray below the grating so removing the ash is simple. For me the easiest way to separate the ash from the coals & to assist the ash in falling through the grating is simply a length of 1/2" diameter steel rod with a 4" long "L" bent on both ends. On the end I hold a piece of hose was added for a handle. This tool allows the coals to float over the bar while allowing / encouraging the ash to fall through the grating. I can just slide it back & forth to do the separating without having the coals get bunched up very much. Much faster! Works well for cleaning off the ledge above the fire bricks as well. I made a coal sifter like Scott showed several years ago, but since getting wood stoves with the ash tray below the grating, haven't used it.
Raking hot coals 'out' of the front of the stove got boring really quick so this is what was made up and it works great.
My set appears to have cast iron handles and a matching stand. I use the poker all the time, but the tongs practically never. The ember tongs are cast, and for the stray ember that jumps on re-loads. Thanks to Scotty for helping me identify them a while back. This set was from an antique store about 13 years ago. I'm glad I saw this thread since it reminded me that I need to sell a set of heavy cast iron andirons from when we used the fireplace years ago.
Haha I cringed a little bit the first time I stuck in a hot firebox. The honeymoon is over now, she's being put to work.
Coal rake/drag on the right was bought. The one in the middle was a poker that I cut the end off of, and welded a piece of angle iron, and several little fingers. Finally, the sifter on the left was made by me. The one thing I need to do, is weld a small lip around it. When you "sift" most of the coals fall off. I am going to weld a 2"-3" ledge around it to hold more while I shake it. It works now, but could be better. Definitely a great tool to save the coals and clean out the ash. The coal drag/rake on the right is my favorite tool. It is the daily stoker, pusher, dragger, mover, etc..
