Hi friends, I recently watched a mokume-gane ring video wherein the stock material was cut into a washer shape and then formed into a ring by tapping it down on a ring mandrel. I made two rings this way by forging 3/8" steel washers down over a bull pin and they came out okay I guess. (See pics below) However the washer I made from a piece of pattern welded steel (15n20 and 1095) broke at the welds when I began to bend the washer around the punch even though I had the material to a bright red heat. The welds seemed very tight and showed no cracks or separation prior to trying to bend it.

What am I doing wrong and is it possible to make the rings this way at all?

Thanks,
Bill

red isnt near hot enough, manipulation should be at welding heats, and not a lot of stretching at a time. take it in stages next time.

Oh okay well that makes a lot of sense. I can tell you after a half hour getting the washer made to finally be at the "last stage" and have it break was a real bummer. Tomorrow if I get a chance I will try again. Thanks for the help.

Steve's advice is good. Pattern welds need to be worked HOT. Get that metal soft and pliable. Jose Gomez burned this in my brain. I have lost some neat projects to red heat and inpatients.