Damascus - Help needed

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ET_G65

Joined
Jun 17, 2003
Messages
17
I would like to say thanks for all your help!
Yesterday I forged my first Damascus billet, it came up pretty good except small 1/4 in length not welded area. I refluxed and tried to weld this area again but still unable to fix it.
Can you please help me how to fix it?
The billet is 6 inch in length 3 layers of O-1 and 2 layers L-6 steel .
In addition, I do not have any power tools….

Also I’m looking for good video tutorial on forging Damascus and pattern development without power tools. Any recommendations?
Thanks,
Evgeni.
 
It may just be the O-1 thats giving you the problems. Its got a fairly high amount of chome in it and that alone can stop the welds plus just doing it by hand at least for myself is a waste of time. I'd just switch the O-1 and use a spring steel instead and try that. 10 series steel not 5160.....
 
Its an easy fix. The problem is scale has formed in that area. Just soak the billet all night in battery acid or muratic acid. The scale will be gone and will be clean as a whistle. Simply heat to dull red and flux, bring up to welding temp and reweld. O-1 and L6 should be fine together.
 
Can I soak the billet in vinegar? , I do not have any acid for now,also where I can get these acids?
Thanks to everyone for replay..
Evgeni.
 
Vinegar works, but it takes longer, and works best if you keep it very warm.
Stinks, though.
 
Originally posted by ET_G65
Can I soak the billet in vinegar?
Click to expand...

In Tim Lively's video, "Knifemaking Unplugged," he says that you can easily concentrate regular vinegar by freezing it.

In theory, vinegar is a solution of water and acetic acid. When it's frozen, the water will form ice, but the acetic acid will not. Remove the ice, and you will have a more concentrated form of acetic acid.

I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds like it would work.
 
Yesterday I soaked this billet over night in warm vinegar (next time I will freez it)and it came up free of scales. Then I tried to welded it again and …
Noting happen, I still have this area not welded.
Ok, after that I decided to cut this billet to see how dip this flaw.
The billet was so hard that I was not able even make a scratch with the hacksaw!!!
Also it’s easy make scratches on Nicholson file too..
I forgot to add, the billet was heated to nonmagnetic and I leaved to cool to room temp. It seems like this is not an O-1 steel , it maybe an A2.
Also the steel bar used in this billet was marked witch blue color.
Can I make this billet soft again or just make the new one from L-6 and 1095?
 
Find a sturdy wooden box and stand back 10 feet away. See if you can throw it in the box. Next buy some 1095 and L6 and try to weld it. I bet you will have better luck. Good lesson learned. Be sure of the steels and you will have less troubles. Keep the box handy because there will be more learning experiences. Damascus is fun but dont expect perfect welds for awhile.
 
If it's A2, or any other air-hardening steel, hell no, you won't get it soft. Bruce's idea sounds about right, as usual.
 
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