myers4768 Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 ok i have a coal forge and new to welding. i can form stem and leaf, but welding them together is another story. i can forge weld 2 items of equal mass, but the smaller stem is giving trouble. i am useing borax and know i am at proper temp. i have a good laser term. What is the most common mistake made, that is most likely my problem. thanks for your help!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintjohnbarleycorn Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 sorry I can't help, but what is a (laser term.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul B Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 I think he means a laser thermometer. Or should I say infra red Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tech413 Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 A little off topic, but what brand of thermometer do you use, I've been looking for one that will read that high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Browne Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 I find when welding two bits of unequal diameter that the smaller one really loses heat quickly and often gets below welding temp before the weld is made. I find that practicing the movements of removing them from the forge, lining them up, dropping the tongs and picking up the hammer while cold is a good drill. Then its a matter of doing it while hot and you will find you are much smoother and quicker which means the finer steel is still at welding temp when you are hitting it. Make sense?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P. Bedard Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 Make absolutely sure that not only is the skin of the steel hot enough, but the core as well. A laser temp gauge won't tell you that. Are you bringing these two pieces of steel together to the forge to be welded? Or are they wired together? It makes a big difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul B Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 I've been wondering about that very thing. When welding two objects, even the same size, getting them hot enough at the same time and geting lined up seems like it would be very hard to me. I can see where wiring them together would be a good idea, but if the sizes are too different, it would seem like the smaller would burn before the heavier was hot enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alwin Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 You want the thicker piece in a slightly hotter part of the fire, and when you get to the anvil you'll want the thicker piece to be the one in contact with it. With experimentation the two pieces will get to welding heat at the same time. I often find that putting the thinner piece on top of the thicker one while slowly heating them in the fire until they are close to welding heat and then bringing them side by side works well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutchmancreek Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 Set up a block to use as an anvil right on the edge of the forge. Small parts lose heat rapidly and moving them to the floor anvil and getting them ready to hit can sometimes be self defeating. I have a small rr rail anvil right there on the forge and stick small pieces together right there. Also remember to use a smaller hammer.... it doesn't take a hard hit to start your weld. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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