A typical billet for me was 30 pcs. of 1/8" material (1084 & 15n20). Stack up all the pieces without grinding scale off, put a weld bead on each end and across the middle on both sides, weld on a handle, stick in the forge. When it starts to take on color pull it out and flux it w/ anhydrous borax, return to the forge. When the flux starts doing a crazy dance (bubbling fast and evenly) and there are no shadows in the billet take it out and into the press for a quick squeeze reducing the height by about an inch. Brush off flux using a stiff wire brush, return to the forge and draw under the hammer or press, cut, stack, repeat, repeat, repeat -----.