wolfshieldrx Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 Mild steel with a black diamond file for a bit. Handle is hickory. Thanks for looking...bart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyGeorge Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 Looks like a good job, Bart. Did you have any problems while forge welding it? I had to scrap my first one. It just wouldn't take. Finally figured it out. But it took some practicing and patience. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfshieldrx Posted August 8, 2010 Author Share Posted August 8, 2010 Weld took, no problem. However, not getting all the file teeth completely off lef an edge with "micro-serations" i guess youd call them. Only in part of the edge though. Thanks for looking, im learning a lot. Bart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edge9001 Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 CurlyGeorge you mentioned you ahd a hard time makeing the weld take on your first try, what was the problem you were having? how did you get the next one to work? I'm thinking of trying to make a welded bit ax soon, I have some mild and a few useless files I would like ot find a new use for, and this sounds like a good one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyGeorge Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 I tried to rush it instead of getting a longer soaking heat. It was ready on the outside, but not where the two pieces touched. Now, I let it heat slower and all the way thru before I get too excited about welding it. That is the way it should be done. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edge9001 Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 I tried to rush it instead of getting a longer soaking heat. It was ready on the outside, but not where the two pieces touched. Now, I let it heat slower and all the way thru before I get too excited about welding it. That is the way it should be done. thanks I'll keep it in mind, Ive only tried to weldonce before, it was just a jest pallets straps and the weld didn't take, so I guess I'll give it a try Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfshieldrx Posted August 9, 2010 Author Share Posted August 9, 2010 thanks I'll keep it in mind, Ive only tried to weldonce before, it was just a jest pallets straps and the weld didn't take, so I guess I'll give it a try Another thing I have found that helps my welds stick is to have the mating surfaces VERY clean...down to shiny metal whenever possible. Since I have started grinding or filing the surfaces before welding and heating slowly, as mentioned above, most of my welds "stick". I'm still a relative beginner, so it really thrills me when a weld takes. bart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 One trick I use on myself is that I bring the fire way up and then turn off the air completely and stick the piece deep in the fire to preheat and go get a bottle of water or use the restroom. helps to pre-heat the piece thoroughly before I drag it out and flux it and put it back in and turn the air back on to get my weld. With the air off the fire is reducing and doing something else lets it heat through and through without me getting impatient... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetalMuncher Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Looks like a very functional axe! Far better than my first try hehehehe. Good work Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junker Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 mix up a flux from 2/3 boric acid and 1/3 steel powder/ shavings (like out of a brake grinding machine or a sandblaster). even a half retarded sea sponge could weld with this stuff, it practically wants to weld it'self lols. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edge9001 Posted August 14, 2010 Share Posted August 14, 2010 well what about a wannabe blacksmith. could one of those weld with it? or even a fully retarded sea sponge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetalMuncher Posted August 14, 2010 Share Posted August 14, 2010 Wouldnt be too worried 'bout fluxes....keep a good eye on your fire. It is possible to weld without flux. But regular borax is fine. You want your piece to be in the reducing bit of the fire. Not even a half retarded sea-sponge with all of the flux in the world could weld if his piece wasnt in a reducing atmosfere. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junker Posted August 14, 2010 Share Posted August 14, 2010 a normal sea sponge could Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edge9001 Posted August 14, 2010 Share Posted August 14, 2010 ok, enough about the sea sponges retarded or not. Im not 100% familiar with propane forges and their flames, a reducing flame/atmosphere? what does this mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 ok, enough about the sea sponges retarded or not. Im not 100% familiar with propane forges and their flames, a reducing flame/atmosphere? what does this mean? A reducing flame is another way of saying a rich flame. i.e more fuel than air. The opposite would be an oxidizing or lean flame (More air, less fuel). Ideally, a neutral flame would have an equal mix of fuel and air Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edge9001 Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 A reducing flame is another way of saying a rich flame. i.e more fuel than air. The opposite would be an oxidizing or lean flame (More air, less fuel). Ideally, a neutral flame would have an equal mix of fuel and air how would I tell the difference? color? if so what are the colors? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 how would I tell the difference? color? if so what are the colors? This site tells more about burners than I could.http://ronreil.abana.org/design1.shtml :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edge9001 Posted August 17, 2010 Share Posted August 17, 2010 This site tells more about burners than I could.http://ronreil.abana.org/design1.shtml thanks dodge. I appreciate the info. maybe one day I will know enough about my propane forge to put it to a good use. lol instead of just wasteing gas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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