[TheForge] bronze

[Fiorini & Skiles]

I read the emails about bronze with interest as I am doing my first 
blacksmithing project in bronze.  I've worked bronze smaller scale, but 
never hot forged it.

It took me about 2 over-heats on a sample piece of CDA 655 to find that 
sunset red that someone else mentioned.

I know that tig welding is ideal for bronze, but we don't have one.  Has 
anyone set up a mig for welding bronze?  The sculptor at UW-L does this for 
touching up bronze castings.

What about health effects?  Would it be the same as with copper, since it is 
mainly copper and silica?  Are there any other health considerations with 
hot forging it?  It does have a different smell to than the steel does.
Thanks,
-Kirsten
www.knitsteel.blogspot.com
www.knitsteel.etsy.com  - my online store