Cold shut

Joss

Joss

Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
7,353
Hi,

I have a small damascus billet with a cold shut on the entire length of the billet - basically, the last weld was bad. The billet sticks together OK, but delaimnates at the extremities if hammered on the side.

What can I do with it? Should I relegate it to bolsters? Is there a chance to save it if I just stuck it in a pipe with powder (and other bits and pieces)?

Thanks,

JD
 
There are several posible reasons why the layers wont weld. A cold shut is only one of them. You may have trapped flux in the layers or may have had sections that built scale from the heat befor the flux melted and protected the steel from oxygen. I have had excellent almost magical results by soaking the problem billet in Battery acid (sulfuric acic) It will desolve the scale and some steel in the trouble area and clean it back to bare metal. It takes a day or two to do its job but it works for all troublesome welds. I could see day light through my last one after a day of soaking. Then simply reweld.
 
Wow... That seems to be exactly what I need. Do you use it pure? Do I need special equipment?

JD
 
hey Bruce thanks for the tip. Sometimes you just have to think to yourself naturally why didn't I think of that. I have trown away a couple of billet after a couple of folds because of a problem getting a weld. I'll try the acid next time thanks.
 
Auto parts stores sell the battery acid. I just use it straight in a 2" PVC pipe. No special equipment but dont splash it on your pants. Be sure to neutralize the billet afterwards with baking soda. Proper disposal is important in some areas...I take mine to the hazardous waste station. It stores safely in the PVC pipe with a PVC cap. You will need to build a stand for it to keep it from falling over. Just use enough to submerge the billet. Hope this helps, works for me.
 
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