TechnicusJoe Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 (This is more pointed at the hobbyists and people who are just getting into it. A commercial smith is unlikely to do this because of cheapness of materials these days and expensive side of labor) I am sure many, if not all of you at least have a small pile of scraps which just don't have any uses for anything. Now, a use for this stuff is practising forge welding, and while at it, create bar stock. This way you get the last bits of $$$ out of the stock you bought or got. Here are a few picures of a bar I welded together half way to show what piece of scrap they were. I started with welding 2 bits at the end and continued welding bits to the end till I thought "enough for now". Then I heat it up and weld it. These welds were done with no flux, in a coal forge. After I make a new bar, I can turn it into something new again! - You get the last bit of $$$ out of your stock. - You practise a basic and fundamental technique without wasting nice actually new stock. - You (should) end up with new usuable stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Sort of fun in the old timey busheling of real wrought iron way; but the time and fuel involved makes for some very expensive stock!I tend to take the "dregs" and run them down to the scrapyard where I can "trade" them in on useful stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 It certainly is a good exercise in forge welding. My practice is to save anything that might be usable, junk goes to the scrapyard, along with any non ferrous scrap for good old cash$$. Use the $$ for needed new stock or tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Ivan Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 He's what I do. I wasn't really in the zone today and when that happens I make whimsical things out of my drop bin. Started as a 4" piece of 3/8" SQ and scrapping little stuff doesn't pay much so instead of $.01 (probably even less) for this little drop, I put 20 minutes into making it a $15 Paper weight or whatever other use someone comes up with. They are also fully functional :D . Making cute little things keeps me laughing to myself but it also makes me money! http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/38668-tiny-tongs/ http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/38667-tiny-tongs/ http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/38666-tiny-tongs/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossdawg Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 neat-o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickOHH Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 those are some awesome mini tongs Crazy Ivan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Ivan Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Quick update: The tiny tongs sold for $20 just now and I made $1 per minute I spent working on them and it started off as drop material. Only real expense was gas in my forge so call it an even US $19 profit from scrap metal. Thats why I love using scrap until theres only mangled nubs left over in the bin! Theres gold in your scrap pile folks. You just gotta think outside the box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winginit Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Great job , Crazy Ivan !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Ivan Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 I don't want to hijack Technicus's post, just posting what I do with my scrap. I must say though that the skill in forge welding different sized scrap together shown in the OP is awesome! I've watched most of Joe's videos he has posted and he is definitely talented in many aspects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Joe, that's a great idea...one of those "why didn't I think of that?" ones. Makes me want to go get some scrap from behind the shop and try it out today. I've got a bunch of smaller sizes angle iron and other pieces I had used for some stick welding practice. Not good for much now, but they could be forged into something like 1/2" to 1" thick square bar for future forging. Will be interesting to see how the weld metal stringers blend in with the mild steel angle iron and scraps. Thanks for the tip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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