HojPoj Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 Having recently gotten set up for solid fuel where I'm not fighting the setup, I've been doing the occasional forge welding practice. I've got some future projects that could use a looped eye like pictured below. I know there's a name for hooks used in draft animals and wagons that use welded eyes done the same way, but for the life of me I can't dredge up the proper name. Regardless, my cursory searches haven't come up with anything that details the process or how the material gets prepared to do the weld properly. It didn't blend in properly, but seems to have stuck a little. I haven't properly tested the strength of it yet to see if really did weld. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 You want the centers of the two pieces to touch and weld first; squirting the flux and scale out the sides. As currently done looks like it will try to trap and hold the crud to me. (Especially as the edges will heat hotter faster.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 those photos almost show how it should look AFTER the weld Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HojPoj Posted July 2, 2020 Author Share Posted July 2, 2020 Thomas, That's what I would have tried, it's just that I distinctly recall seeing that the material overlaps over a large area on the examples I'd seen. I didn't think it would be able to be worked down in such a fashion if it wasn't already wrapping. Steve- I thought I'd try it that way to see if it would work, and if it didn't at least it would look like what I'm after so I could ask the question! I know a guy in the area that makes the hooks with this type of weld, but given the 'rona and his advanced age I won't be able to pick his brain for quite some time. Anyone recall seeing the process illustrated anywhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 I can check "Practical Blacksmithing", Richardson, but it would probably be info on doing it in real wrought iron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HojPoj Posted July 2, 2020 Author Share Posted July 2, 2020 I guess my biggest concern about it is that I'd have to upset the area around the weld on both parts- that'd be around 3.5" down a 5/16" round bar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 The only real prep a lap like that needs is a scarf on the end and MAYBE a BIT of flattening on the sides. The scarf is to get a good weld set on the end. Set the end, then bring it back to the eye. Flattening the sides a LITTLE helps reduce the weld area necessary to make the joint one piece. Perhaps forging a bit of shoulder at the transition between weld joint and loop as Jennifer demonstrates for fold ax eyes would be of benefit. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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