[TheForge] Pattern Welding Billets

[Jason Nass]

Depends on the fire you are welding in, how few heats you can get it drawn
in, and how you are restacking, as well as how many layers you start with...
there are a lot of factors involved... 50% materials loss sounds like single
folding by hand in a coal forge to me, one of the least material friendly
methods. Welding in coal tends to lead to a fair bit of burning off of outer
layers, and the more heats it takes to draw, the more mass you lose in the
form of scale. Generally, in propane with a press, doing cut and stack
rather than folding  you will lose perhaps 30%. Of course, this is all
before grinding and such prepping your billet. I've seen some patterns that
under the best of conditions lead to 75% of more being lost. Like I said
though, there are a lot of factors in how much you will lose.


Jason Nass - MacTalis Ironworks
me at wargoth.com


-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Noah Morris
Sent: Saturday, April 02, 2011 3:51 PM
To: The Forge
Subject: [TheForge] Pattern Welding Billets


I have just started creating pattern welded billets, I'm not sure if I can
really call them Damascus steel billets, but anyway I have a question.

How much Metal should I be expecting to loss during this process? 

According to my rough calculations I have lost 50% or more  of the original
material. I understand that I am changing the density of the metal and its
over all shape, but I did a displacement test to compare and that is where I
am getting the 50% from.

Trying hard,
 Morris
 		 	   		  
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