Oh happy day!

[Godspeed]

I just did my first forge weld!!!
I used 15n20 and 1084 from Aldo, 8 layers.
One problem though when i cut it partially in half and
went to fold it back on it's self for the next weld the middle layer
came apart.
But other than that i couldn't be happier. :biggrin:

 

[mike miller]

Make sure you soak it at heat for a little while. The outside layers can look hot but the center not quite there yet.

 

[Bob Urban]

Also - I am sure you did but just a reminder that you need to grind the steel clean before folding. I use an angle grinder and a cut off wheel to get all the crud off and then polish it a bit to get it as level as possible with a 36 grit wheel. Not much more frustrating than cold shuts after on your successive fold welds after you have found success with the original weld(s)

For the record my rate of billet success was about one in 3 or 4 until I built a press. Those that can consistantly pound out nice welds are my heros!!

 

[Godspeed]

I did clean it with my belt grinder, I was trying to get it completely flat, but i don't
know if it needs to be.
There were some large "pits" in it. I'm guessing from scale being beat into it.
I got my fluxing and wire brushing all out of order. This is challenging but some of
the most fun i've had in a while. I'm really not sure what kind of pattern to try after i
get it some layers built up. What would be the easiest for a beginner?