Cut and fold

J

Johnbeck180

Joined
May 16, 2011
Messages
199
Hello all, I've recently built my own forge. I'm going to attempt to make my own Damascus. In the cutting, folding, and stretching process, do you need to bring the metal to welding temp after you cut&fold it every time? To weld the two new set of layers together.
 
Anytime you go to weld steel you will want to be at welding temp. 2335-2350 or by eye; when the borax bubbles on the surface.

When you are drawing the steel bring the temperature down to a working temperature of 2100 or so. I find the billet will hold together better by using the reduced temp. Flux early as the heat rises so you get the steel sealed before you get carbon scale build up. If you are using kerosene to prevent ox. on the steel surface, do not move the steel around inside the forge, after the kero is applied, you can damage the jacket the kerosene produces and let ox. contact the steels surface.

Flying flux is like napalm cover all skin surfaces and remove anything combustible from the area.

Have fun and best of luck to you, Fred
 
There are a lot of resources out there to learn from...

I would consider searching around on youtube or online for DVDs on damascus making. Also, there are folk who have demos at shows or at "hammer-ins".

I strongly suspect a few minutes watching someone else will save you hours of trial and error.
 
Tait said:
There are a lot of resources out there to learn from...

I would consider searching around on youtube or online for DVDs on damascus making. Also, there are folk who have demos at shows or at "hammer-ins".

I strongly suspect a few minutes watching someone else will save you hours of trial and error.
Click to expand...

I agree with that. Even though the process of making damascus is fairly simple in essence; spending time with someone who is familiar with the different techniques is time well spent.
 
Fred.Rowe said:
I agree with that. Even though the process of making damascus is fairly simple in essence; spending time with someone who is familiar with the different techniques is time well spent.
Click to expand...
Thank's a bunch guys. Gave me some good tips and options to look at. I know I'm kinda jumping the shark by trying to make Damascus so soon. Ill go watch some videos on you tube, and i think theres a guy fairly close to me that does it. But what the heck theres really only one way to really learn how. Once again thank's
 
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