[TheForge] TheForge Digest, Vol 87, Issue 7

[James Binnion]

On Apr 4, 2011, at 10:08 AM, Doveknives at aol.com wrote:

> So to eliminate the afore  Mentioned uneven expansion of layers 
> under control  I used Mr. Binnions (spelling might be wrong, sorry James) trick for setting the fusion of Mokume.  In my first 
> stack I place a fusion barrier, in this case some oxided SS foil on top and on the bottom of the billet, this keeps the billet 
> from sticking to the pressure plates .  The pressure plates are 1/2x 2x4 mild steel and placed on the top and bottom of the 
> billet.  I run a cold MIG bead down each corner of the billet to hold it all together.  I then weld a handle onto one end of the 
> billet.

The torque plate method works great for mokume or pattern welding. I would add that the method was from the Japanese mokume gane smiths and updated by Marvin Jensen in the 70's, I just use it and have written about it and some of my modifications to the process.  Your description is great. I would add that if you can set your press to act as a vise when initially prepping the stack you may find it improves things. Although 2 failures in 7 years is a great record :-)  There is really no difference in mokume and pattern welding. Techniques used for one can generally be used for the other. Temperatures will differ of course but they are both diffusion welding.

Jim

James Binnion
jbin at well.com