My first attempt at forge welding took 8 tries before it stuck

I was trying to weld a simple chain link from 1/2 inch round stock. Thought I had the heat right, flux was fresh, but every time I hit it the pieces just fell apart. Finally after 7 failed attempts I realized my fire was too reducing and I wasn't letting the steel soak at welding heat long enough. On the 8th try I waited until the sparks flew and it fused solid. Has anyone else wasted a whole afternoon on one joint like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

iris_mason881mo ago

Oh man, that sparks flying thing is the real secret. I had the same problem when I started doing axe blades. I kept pulling it out too early cause I was scared of burning it. But you gotta let that steel get to where it's almost wet looking and those little sparks start shooting off the surface. Once I started counting to ten after the sparks appeared, my welds started sticking first try way more often.

finley_flores2820d ago

Count to ten after sparks fly? Man, I'd be lucky to count to three before my brain short circuits and I jerk the steel out like it's on fire. My welds look like a scared cat made them half the time. You got a trick for staying calm long enough to actually stick the weld?

spencer6641mo ago

Don't count to ten once those sparks fly or you'll burn your steel and ruin the weld.