[TheForge] Re: forge welding

Tue Oct 1 10:04:01 2002

 I asked about the bearded axe, Jamie asked about the welding. Although
I am very interested in forge welding. I haven't had a chance to try it
yet, out of coal. BTW, does anyone know a good supplier of coal near the
south west Georgia area? A friend of mine got me the coal I had from
Dothan, AL but I'm trying to look around before drive there to get it.
Thanks.

Chad

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, October 01, 2002 5:20 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [TheForge] Re: forge welding

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
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