Unpopular opinion: I stopped using my old coal forge for all my Damascus work.

For years I welded all my billets in that old coal pit, thinking the heat was more even. Last fall, a piece of 1084 and 15N20 I was working on delaminated because I couldn't keep the temp steady during a long weld. I switched to a propane forge with a good pyrometer and my welds have been solid for the past 8 months. Anyone else make a big change in their forge setup for pattern welding?

3 comments

3 Comments

claire_gibson13d ago

Hold up, you're blaming the coal forge for a bad weld? That's like blaming the oven for a burnt cake. The real skill is in managing the fire and reading the steel, not just watching a digital number. My granddad welded flawless Damascus for fifty years with just coal and a sharp eye.

tylerj2213d ago

Wait, isn't the whole point that the oven can absolutely burn a cake if it runs too hot? Sure, skill matters most, but the tool still has to work right. A coal forge can have cold spots or bad airflow that messes with the heat. Your granddad knew his specific forge inside and out, so he could work around its problems. It's not just about the digital number, it's about having a consistent heat source to begin with.

the_lee13d ago

Reminds me of my uncle who could fix anything with duct tape and a hunch.