4dead Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 I posted last week about texturing. I made a small tree to go in a rail in my cabin. Everything worked out great. I welded tthe limbs on with my stick welder, took my time with angle grinder and dremel and fixed the welds. I am wanting to just Beeswax when done. Problem is the welds are shiny and the tree is black. Before I mess something up, how do I get the shiny to match the black. Thanks Randy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junksmith Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 You could try heating the welds with a torch until the temper color turns dark. Often when I'm finishing a piece, I'll heat the entire thing to black and dip it in oil (or beeswax). It makes a nice uniform finish. We'd love to see a picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Heat to scaling temp and let cool, or paint Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Well he was cleaning up stick welds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4dead Posted October 17, 2012 Author Share Posted October 17, 2012 Thanks for the help. I have a small propane torch. I still have to do some leafs and vines on the other end. (First time for that also) Any hints on doing small smooth vines or tendrals out of 1/4 round. Will post pics. when finished. Thanks Randy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Tig welding of tendrils gives the flow and avoids cleanup issues. Perhaps looking into a weed burner and a propane torch for spot heating---helps a lot of have firebrick around it to help hold heat. Look into blacksmithing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basher Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 an oxy propane nozzle set to lean (high oxygen ) will scale up the welds quicker , then just clean it all up together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Nowak Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 I've also seen cold gun bluing solution used to fix this issue. Patrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backwoods Blacksmith Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 When I cannot forge weld pieces together I use oxy/acty or propane to weld small branchs and leaves. This makes it easy to fill in and blend. If I can I wll heat and hammer the joint. If I cannot hammer I use a Dremel type tool to blend or a 1/2 round or rattail file then heat to scale and wire brush. It sounds like a lot of work but the results are worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbruce Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 The best way I've found to make grinder scratches disappear when doing welded ''branch'' joints is after grinding use a needle scaler with rounded,polished needles and heat. Cold blue works too. Hot brushing the joint with a wire cup wheel really blends it nice but in amongst other branches this can be difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWHII Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 Depending on the patina. I will use a flat primer to match the color. On a tree branch I might use a flat red metal primer. Ace has a red primer that dries a brown color. I just spray the ground areas. After it is dry, then I will rub three coats of brown Briwax into the rest of the piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryce Masuk Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 Heat it up a dull red and wire wheel it, If you end up with areas you can't get into with a grinder you can even get it orange hot and hit it hard with the wheel and it will tear out whatever is there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4dead Posted October 21, 2012 Author Share Posted October 21, 2012 Thanks for the tips, I heated it and it blended in pretty good. I worked on the other end this weekend, was just going to do some small leaves and vines. I wound up with a small pile of scrap. I will learn from my mistakes, but it is so frustrating. I will watch some Youtube and try it again this weekend. Randy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZIG Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 I was always taught that if You grind one weld on anything, down smooth that is. ,that you will or should grind them all after that. So I too use my stick machine To apply limbs and such. But reheat them And try to draw the dogknots,( technical term for globs ) back down. A tig is the perfect way To attach things. Cause you can wash things away and blend welds into other things. But even though I make my living as a tig welder. I Don't have one at home. So I use a little mig alot on things. Cause my AC stick machine can be a booger to make small tacks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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