Watching my heat.

[Agita]

I have a large hand cranked forge in which I've just started working metal. My problem is that when I have a piece of metal in the forge I can watch the color range and it takes a normal time to heat up.,, but , I see it go from deep red to light red at normal speed. Then within a space of 10 seconds it will jump to yellow and either burn up or when I pick up the piece it falls in half. To make note I turn at a medium speed, and the metal I have used that this happens with are : 1" rebar,, , , .5" cold roll,, , , 1"x2" key stock. Normal coal from local bks store.

I've had a few forges in the past but, never had metal heat up this fast.

Thanks in advance.

[pkrankow]

Rebar is often mystery metal that is specification based. It may have some alloy material in it making it red short. Try some a36 or 10xx and see if you have the same problem.
Phil

[Rich Hale]

If you are forging in the daylight and or in the sun, the colors you see will not look as bright as they really are because of light..try it sometimes after dark if neighbors are close just do not hit it.....lol If the light is the problem pull from fire at a dull red heat and see how it moves under the hammer......

[Bentiron1946]

It's really hard to tell the colors in daylight and if that is part of the problem try to find a used market umbrella to cast a shadow over the forge. I had the same problem when I first started, you would've thought it was the Fourth of July I had so many sparklers going. :P

[Agita]

Wow didn't think of the daylight being the problem. I've always been indoors until now. I am outside so i'll do that. I might just do it tonight, no neighbors lol.

Thanks for the consideration.

[jeremy k]

Remember that once you have color in a bar - your only moving up a few hundreds degrees vs. a thousand from room temp. Hence less air blast is needed. - all in practicing - JK

[ThomasPowers]

And nightime works the other way---the colour of your piece looks hotter than it would with more ambient light.