Playinwitmetal

thanks for the help. I will try it out asap. As far coal goes I'm using wood coal, I've reached white hot temperatures, but it eats the coal so fast...

Hi, sorry about having to create this topic, but I'm struggling with forge welding. I have a friend that been blacksmithing for a while, but he can't really help me with this because he himself hasn't really done any forge welding. Can someone give be detailed instruction on how to heat the metal, when to apply borax and how to beat the metal? I've tried a few times myself but I haven't gotten it right yet. I've heated a metal bar to orange,bent it to 90 degrees, applied borax, reheated it, then I've closed the bend. I would beat the metal, reheat/reflux and continued this cycle about 8-9 times with no results. What am I doing wrong?

very nice

I'm a Newbie... but wouldn't be easier for you is you anneal (sp?) the harder steels first? it should soften the tool steel a bit and make forging a little less stressful.