Grem Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 So I was playing with Titanium and some Carbon Steels. Underestimated how hot I could get the charcoal and melted the metals haha. Still though it was fun. My set up isn't pretty, but for someone with no money and using what I could find, I don't think it's too shabby. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Charcoal was the only forging fuel up to the high/late middle ages when coal came in as an additional fuel. For smelting iron charcoal was the only fuel until the 1700's when coked coal was used. Wootz was melted with charcoal fueled furnaces. Traditionally made japanese swords still use charcoal smelted tamahagane and charcoal for forge welding and forging. Why would one not think it would get "hot"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheftjcook Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 Looks like a good setup ...Just enjoy and keep learning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grem Posted February 25, 2014 Author Share Posted February 25, 2014 Well I wasn't thinking it wouldn't get hot, I knew charcoal burns hot enough to melt Iron. I just didn't realize I was blasting enough air to make it get that hot. I mean it's not like I'm running a blast furnace filled to the brim with charcoal. I wasn't expecting -THAT- heat. Consequence to learning what it's capable of haha. Still though I have plenty of fun with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 didnt you notice the color of the fire ? or of the metals before it melted? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grem Posted February 25, 2014 Author Share Posted February 25, 2014 I did indeed, and I've avoided that happening a second time. Part of the issue I think I didn't have borax the first run through so the scale build up was so think even after brushing it, It never actually looked that hot. I could tell it was just off the radiant heat alone, but the color itself never really got past a bright red. Even when the steel was molten which was odd to me. However the second run with it using the borax, I was able to clean the steel up quite nicely and see the various color changes it goes through while heating up. I was able to do a sloppy, yet successful forge weld. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 that is one of the big reasons why I advocate using flux, its not fair to expect a beginner to not use flux when learning, its hard enough starting out, with out having the deck stacked against you by not using a flux to aid you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grem Posted February 25, 2014 Author Share Posted February 25, 2014 Oh indeed, as cheap as it was, I just wanted to see what it was like without it, attempting a forge weld without a flux to gain an appreciation for having it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grem Posted February 26, 2014 Author Share Posted February 26, 2014 Well I live in Vegas which is incidentally not far from a big Coal mine, so I can get coal for the same price as Charcoal here. I've been told Coal was better because it traps radiant heat a lot better which yields a more thorough heating of the metal, we well as burning longer than charcoal. It's actually harder for me to get Charcoal here because I live in a treeless desert. I was just taken by how hot I got it without really trying. Today I get to build my foundry! Waste oil for the win baby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitsuwa Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 In a couple of your picture it looks like you are working at night and should be able to see the color of your metal. Your last picture you will not be able to see the glowing color of your metal outside in broad daylight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grem Posted February 27, 2014 Author Share Posted February 27, 2014 Yeah the first two are during night. And yes I can see the colors of the metals very well at night haha. I've gotten used to it, but I'm still just practicing working the metals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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