ThomasPowers Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Well not a wood fire but a charcoal fire can get hot enough; real wood charcoal NOT BRIQUETTES. They have been welding with charcoal for over 2000 years now so if you have a problem it's with your process or set-up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damascus Mike Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Is it possible to borax or any thing that will forge weld?is it true that fertilizer can be used as flux.thanx DM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finnr Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Well kind of depends on what fertilizer you are looking at dung sure won't do it. And most of the others I am familiar with would be real unhealthy. Finnr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Is it possible to borax or any thing that will forge weld?Would you please state the question again, or in another way? I am not sure what you are asking. There are many many different types of fertilizers, can you be more specific as to which fertilizer you have in mind using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damascus Mike Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Is it possible make to borax or any thing that will forge weldthat is cheap and doesnt require much science?sorry i left out a few words Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finnr Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Borax is mined not made. It is a natural occurring chemical. It is also very cheap. I use it as flux and also use it in my laundry. Here it is sold as 20 Mule Team Borax in the laundry isles of groceries. You can also get it from about supplier of chemicals. Finnr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damascus Mike Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 do you put it in the washing machine as a soap to wash your clothes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damascus Mike Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 doesnt using sand as a flux go into the metal and make tiny holes in it?sort of like wen u hit a punch into a piece of metal to mark out where u ganna drill? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finnr Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 As an additive along with the soap. Finnr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finnr Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 No. the sand melts before welding heat is reached. That's why it's there to melt and exclude oxygen. Finnr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new guy Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 ok that is totally true. and i make my own charcoal on site so i am totally sure if i screw up it is only my set up or (lack of a) blower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Borax (or any flux) is NOT glue. The forge weld can be achieved without flux. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new guy Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 how much for a bag? i would like to start welding for an axe and other tools and it seems i need flux. i think 25 lbs would work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 I used to weld billets in a charcoal fire using a double lunged bellows I built myself so you can make your own "blower". A fire just sitting there will not get hot enough to weld with without extra air being pushed in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Another place to check a ceramics supply place to see if they have anhydrous borax to be used in making glazes. Some folks like it better than regular borax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new guy Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 how do you recomend a blower? i usually fan with a folding camp chair. will i be able to use a hari dryer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Hair dryers work well. best if you don't waste energy using the heat settings, as it only overloads/heats up the dryer. Just use air setting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 I forge weld a lot of damascus billets. I buy my borax by the 3 pound box. It lasts me a few months. 25# will get wet(wetter?) before you use even a portion of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 New Guy. Could you sign your posts so we can tell if it's you or your Dad please? I'm having a heck of a time trying to decide whether to answer like I'm talking to an adult who knows enough to understand basic answers. For instance, if someone doesn't tell New Guy the younger to put a blower in a piece of pipe and put the other end in the base of the fire my bet is he'll just point it at the fire and hope. New guy the older on the other hand would at least ask if he didn't know. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 MOD alert, we are happy to give Dad his own log in, actually we prefer to keep them separate, rather than continue the issue Frosty just mentioned. please set up separate accounts. If you have trouble Glenn who is the forum owner, will assist you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new guy Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 ok yeha i think i may just start signing my posts. ps. try me with the basic answers i may just know or you may be right frosty and Steve new guy JR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnptc Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 air output from a shop vac is pretty good and yes by all means hook up a steel pipe and put the air in at the bottom may even an angle and diffuser :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new guy Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 ok will do as soon as the rain stops and i have time new guy jr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damascus Mike Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 how can sand melt in a forge?i thought it must be much hotter.is sand as in beach sand or what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintjohnbarleycorn Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 I guess there are higher temp sands, but basically its silica, the same stuff they glaze pottery with so yes it does melt in the forge, you can look up melting point of silica to see exactly what temp it melts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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