Chris brokkr

Charcold I like the idea when I can get to it next I'm going to start that thanks

Ok I do not want to convert my indoor wood stove into a forge but tonight I went to feed the fire and noticed ( after a day in the forge) the coals that burn in the bottom of the stove burn real bright orange an orange I'd compare to my forge now the stove has a blower and an openable door under the fire so my question is could I heat steel in it hot enough to move? Not sure how the wife would take to me smithing in the basement but in reality wouldn't it work out?

Yes I use powder boric acid.. how ever I've read about old time Smith's in Europe who use wood ash? If it's a possibility to use I've got tons of it we heat our house with wood

Success!!! I did it scarfed the ends and tapped them together into one piece after words I got a little squirrelly and split a piece of the same round stock down the middle and inserted an old Nicholas file (grinded smooth) and managed to get it to stick without any major issues thank you all for your advice I don't know if it has been covered but my dad stopped by the house today watching me work with the 20 mule team and suggested maybe nocking the flux off off some of the "farmers" welding rods would it work........ Would not be a good alternative just seen it on this forum

Thanks Neil as we speak I am lighting a fire got a few pieces of small round cut at about 8" with luck I'll have forge welded successfully today

I understand hammer control (for the most part) as a carpenter and two years of smithing as you may see in this ball pein hammer conversion

I'd happily go to them but as a father of six and full time self-employed man I've used my "free" time as little as it is in the fire but as even that goes my two oldest 11&10 insists on being there with me lol as things tend to go at that age how ever I've been looking into classes and found a few several hours away as well as months away also paid up some moola to an Alex steel site in all that was is a wast of money I found the same vids on YouTube for free

Oh if you only knew I am one of two Smith's (and I use this term lightly) I'm my area so to learn from one in person is not so much an option the other smith is only just started I've found something 1085 flat stock I believe it will take to the welding proses I hope but before I even try that I'll try for welding bar stock idea justanotherviking suggested...... I must admit I have had more answers then I expected I appreciate this very much so

Well I was told this by a successful experienced smith as well the same man told that my forge very well could be polluted apparently it's possible I'm not sure. I've grinded and wire brushed it clean over and over again

Originally I was playing with some old leaf springs from a 78 Chevy truck to my surprise I learned it's real hard to weld high carbon steels to each other. Now I have quite the stock pile of steel (my father is fabricator brings it me from work) so I've tried to forge weld a pieces of angle iron into them selves a few times only to find myself angered at the failed attempts

If by stuff hay in my vehicles gas tank you mean feed my riding horses hay well yes I do... As well I know most African Smith's still used sand as late as the 90's... But I'll not use it anymore I suppose that in itself could be a lot of the reason for failure?

I'll give it a try thanks for the advice. Once I have the forge weld down I wish to make a Damascus billet out of some band saw, bimetal hacksaw blades and old circle saw blades any thoughts or suggestions for this process

Hmm sounds good to me, as well I suppose I should also be sure the domestic goddess is pleased for that in itself will cause an indirect failure.... I'll try to chain link some mild steel bar stock that I believe is a possibility.. I have been using clean sand as a flux but been told by a few people the requirements for flux is a myth possibly? But I have no clue where I am in MN I do not have much for help with forging to say the least I'm self YouTube taught

Hello everyone I am new to forums in general but I've been thwarted one too many times now I've been moving steel for almost 2 years now made many knifes and hatchet but for the life of me I've failed every attempt to successfully forge weld... Any advice would be awesome I use an old break drum set up with good hard wood charcoal I know I get great heat from it I can all but melt steel in it