September 24, 201213 yr One of the problems was that to the old timers "cherry red" was based on *pie* cherries that are an orange colour. The dark blackish red Bing cherries we are used to eating are a fairly recent development. And of course a lot of the old real wrought iron was worked at welding heat---you sure can get a lot done *FAST* when the iron is really really hot and really really soft!
October 3, 201213 yr Author Actually two years or more of forging will take care of this problem for the most part. That is if you put in alot of hours in the meantime Welllll....I got started in '78, so that's a bit more than two years...
October 3, 201213 yr Author Planishing the metal at a dull red/blackish red heat has, to date, been my most effective means of reducing the ragged texture left on the metal by scale. Thanks to responses on this topic and the kind input of Glenn, I've modified my fire to a more carburizing environment, slightly enlarging the fireball, and slowing the blower a bit. Perhaps I've gotten impatient in my old age waiting for steel to heat. Thank you kindly for the input, Leland
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