Sam Falzone Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 I took Solvarr's forge welding class this summer - had a great time and learned a whole lot. Tonight I tried my first solo forge weld since that class (my 2nd weld attempt in total). I'm making a fire poker out of 5/8" mild steel rod. I folded over a section of it for the head and hook and remembered everything I learned from that class. And I think I stuck it. I attached some pictures - before and after the wire wheel. How does it look? That's a 7" weld (I ended up doing it in several heats, starting at the tip and working back), it took me 45 minutes. I'm so stoked right now but I feel like I could sleep for 2 days. I only had 2 hours in my shop tonight - I'll finish the rest another day. Now I only hope I don't find it cracked tomorrow. Thanks Solvarr Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Martin Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 To be honest, that is ONE GREAT LOOKING WELD. You say this is only your 2nd attempt at doing it by yourself, well Id say anyone would be proud of that weld. Great job, keep it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petere76 Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 aeneas, good weld and it looks good too. peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug C Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Great weld. seven inches is one long weld. I typically have only done 2-4 inch welds. Congrats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rlarkin Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Looks good, and this is just an observation/ Anytime that I have forge welded something, and the seam shows, the weld did not take fully. That is what I see in your pics. Seam. Down both sides. First thing I would do is try and pull it apart. One more thing. When doing fire pokers, forge out a point, THEN fold it over and weld. It will easier than trying to point it after you have folded and welded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip in china Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 No pritchel hole in that anvil? The weld looks great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Falzone Posted October 9, 2008 Author Share Posted October 9, 2008 No pritchel hole in that anvil? The weld looks great. Thanks for the encouragement guys. Came in this morning - no cracks I think the seam is because it was a round bar being welded and I didn't pound the weld completely flat and then square it up. But I am going to test the weld and see if it comes apart. Philip - the bar is covering the pritchel hole Still stoked Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Falzone Posted October 9, 2008 Author Share Posted October 9, 2008 Well I tested the weld - and it failed (peeled apart) So the celebration was premature - it looked good and I got too excited. But this only means that I now go to attempt number 3 (as soon as I can squeeze it in). I'll post my results. Thanks for the heads-up. Sam (...slightly deflated today...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Try a shorter weld next time, say under 1". Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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