Question about billet prep

[weo]

Hello all. I hope that the fall weather is treating y'all better than me.

My question for those with more experience: About 2 weeks ago I prepared a 12" long billet of 11 layers of alternating 15N20 and 1095, welded a handle on and put 3 wire wraps around it, Unfortunately, before welding it, I realized I didn't have enough propane, and then fall happened here in the foothills of Mt Rainier and I haven't been able to work in the shop since then.

Do I need to worry about any rust affecting the first weld seeing as it's been sitting in my shop for a couple of weeks or should I just go ahead and heat, flux and weld as normal? (I think the answer is go ahead and weld, but I'd like confirmation before potentially wasting time and propane.)

Thank you in advance

 

[Brett Mathews]

You answer is correct brother. Rust will actually act as a flux when brought to forge welding temp. Heat, flux, and weld it and you should be good to go.

Brett
Esteem Grinders

 

[Fred.Rowe]

Depending on your set up; a 6 inch billet of 22 layers is easier to handle and weld than the 12 inch 11 layer billet.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Another method of dealing with a delayed welding session is to store the billets in a bucket of kerosene or fuel oil.
Many makers don't use any flux, because they use hydrocarbon compounds (like kerosene) as the agent.

 

[weo]

Thanks for the replies all.

Depending on your set up; a 6 inch billet of 22 layers is easier to handle and weld than the 12 inch 11 layer billet.

No power tools yet, but I think you may be right...that was a long heat and I was thankful for my 6' wingspan... I only set the first weld and started to draw it a bit, then decided to take it to my buddy's place tomorrow and use either his Wolf or Chambersburg to draw the billet out before cutting and restacking...another instance where I'm sure he'll repeat, "Boys, there's NOOOO substitute for POWER!"