forge welding for a blade

[noob blacksmith]

i'm the super novice at blacksmithing and at my first fire up of the wilson forge we made attempts at using saw blades that are l-6 steel but when attempting the forge weld we ran into a few problems so anyone have any tips and hints for me?

[steve sells]

was it cleaned before ya tried? what it hot enough, what did you use for flux, how do you know it was L6 ?

[Rich Hale]

Give yourself a couple of years to get the basics down and you will up your success rate a lot Enjoy

[Sandalphon]

As with Steve, I would look to preparation of the stock for the billet and forging temperature first. ANd, As Rich says, it can take awhile to get the hang. I have been smithing a longtime and have no probblem with welding regular work, but I still get nixed by blade welding sometimes.

It takes patience and pratice mate.

[tetnum]

i see you have tried to jump in way over your head you really should try and master the basics as rich said and in a few years your secuss rate will rise dramaticly

practice makes better practice

[pete46]

I Still Think Forge Welding Requires Magic!
So, I'm Going To Town To Get A Bucket Of Chicken Lips & A Box Of Frog Feathers !

[noob blacksmith]

the blade was clean i used borax as a flux and the company that makes the saw blades i used uses l-6 through the heat could've been a little low i guess and maybe pete's onto somethin

[pete46]

Maybe!
Oh I'm Hurt!!!!!!!!

[LDW]

When I forge weld I have plenty of coke under the work as well as above it and heat till the flux is bubbling pretty aggressively the steel will be the same color as the hottest part of the fire, and when you take it out the first time give it a few blows to stick everything together, re flux and heat again to a welding heat before you start pounding on it. Get some cable and practice with that. Its already binded together and has a handle attached. 3/4" or 1" is pretty easy to start with. Get it hot and place it on the step of the anvil that way each blow is hitting it in three differrent places to drive it in and remove the air space. If this is your first time forging it would be best to start with something that does not have to be forge welded and learn to shape the steel and make as few hammer marks on your final heats coming out of the forge.

[Glenn]

S0002 Making Your First Forge Weld