pattern welding question

[iasg]

Hello! New to the forum so still learning rules.

Don't have anyone to ask nuanced questions and perhaps don't yet know what questions to ask...

Stacked 1084/15N20 for dam billet and i fight a bit with the top layers extending out beyond the middle even as I start with smithing the middle and out to the edges (No press btw all by hand but only 7 layers)

Wondering if i'm not getting it hot enough? My readings on the surface of billet are 15K to 16K so figured that's enough. Do i spend more time smiting the middle of the billet to get the layers in the middle to push first? That seems intuitive but thought i start reaching out for questions like this.
Thanks for anything.

-Iasg

 

[jbmonkey]

ya should ask over in the shop talk- bladesmithing question and answer forum..... or ask a mod nicely to move this thread for you over there. you can do that by reporting the thread and asking for a move

btw, welcome......

 

[iasg]

Thanks so much. I appreciate your time. I'll do that and not bother anyone

 

[jbmonkey]

Thanks so much. I appreciate your time. I'll do that and not bother anyone

no bother. just get better and faster answers on that forum is all.