[TheForge] Re: forge welding

Tue Oct 1 05:29:04 2002

You can certainly weld in a charcoal fire, it just takes more fuel (generally 
speaking).  If you're having trouble welding in a coal fire, even with crappy 
coal, instead of looking at the fuel, might I suggest checking your air 
supply?  Try this test -- sacrifice a piece of scrap, stick it in the fire, 
and see if you can burn it up.  If you can, you've got enough heat to weld.  
If you can't, check first to see if you've got enough air getting to the 
fire.  Also...this is going to sound snide, I'm sorry I really don't mean to 
be...check your patience.  Too many folks want to weld (or work) fast, so end 
up working too cold.  I don't know that you're doing this, Chad, since I 
haven't seen you work...so just trying to cover all the bases.

Personally, I'm wondering if too much has been made about having to have the 
perfect fuel, the perfect depth and construction of fire, to weld the perfect 
material in.  I've welded tool steel in fires that were over 50% clinker, and 
watched others do the same.  Its not as easy as welding in a nice deep clean 
fire with that amazing iron that welds just by looking at it crossways, but 
it is do-able.  Just as with anything else in this craft, it takes practice 
and patience.

Jerry V

Hi,

I'm learning blacksmithing on a hobby level and doing fairly well, however
I'm having a real problem with forge welding.

The problem I think stems from the quality of the coal I'm using, which
generates a prodigious amount of clinker. I am in the UK and have not found
a supplier of good coal at a reasonable price.

I was told recently that charcoal is easier to weld with as it has less
contaminants and was wondering whether that is so and whether it would be
worth knocking together a brake drum forge to play about with it.

Any experiences would be appreciated.

Cheers

Jamie