Best gas forge for welding

D

Dan Harden

Joined
Jun 3, 2003
Messages
50
Hello there
I don't know if this is the right place to ask:
I'm returning to forging after a 15 year absence. I need to rebuild my forge (flux ruined my old one). This left me wondering; what if things have improved? What's the best gas forge for welding these days?
Any new idea on fluxes?
I can forge swords in my old triple burner and weld in a smaller one.
I want something that will get up to welding temp. .
And what about hydraulic presses over my noisy 50lb chambers hammer?
Note: I use simple carbon steels.
Thanks
Dan
 
The Coal Iron Presses are a good deal.
Any good forge should get to welding temps. NC Tool makes some very good forges. The Atlas Blacksmith forge is also good for welding and very low priced.
 
Hey D Dan Harden , just trying to be specific here.

Are you looking for a good general purpose knife making forge that can reach forge welding temps, or are you looking for a forge specifically for forge welding?

And if so are you looking to make Damascus/pattern welded billets or just general forge welding tasks (like making tongs etc.)?

Parameters for each are different, which is why I ask...
 
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I've got a Coal Iron press, the one they call "12 ton", but since it's got a 3" cylinder it's only 9 ton. It does a very good job for 9 ton due to the small area of the dies. Let's face it, for $3K you can't beat the price.

It's a pretty simple job to reline your old forge, Not sure what burners you've got, but I'm totally in favor of blown burners. So much easier to control heat. Especially if the burner can be positioned in front 1/3 from side, with flame going slightly up and to the rear for a good swirling effect. No hot spots that way.

Good luck and have fun.
 
Yes, I missed the flux question.

There are several good alternatives to using borax flux
1) Hydrocarbon fluxing - After welding up the corners and sides of the billet (MIG, TIG, Stick) soak the billet in a bucket of kerosene overnight. You can leave it tere for months until you are ready to weld it up. This helps if you want to do a bunch of damascus at one session on the press/power hammer.
When ready to weld up the billet(s) take it out and let the excess kerosene drain off. Put in the pre-heated forge (at full welding heat). The kero will burn off and leave a carbon layer behind that keeps oxides from forming. Weld up and draw out as normal, using no borax or other flux. The trick is to not let the billet cool beyond cherry red heat. Brush off quickly before and after each heat, returning the billet to the hot oven before it cools below cherry red. When done with the heat, let the billet cool down, then grind clean. Repeat the kerosene soak every time you cut and stack.

2) Air-tight Weld - Weld all seams shut when stacking. TIG is a good choice here. Once they are completely welded up no oxygen can get into the welds. It is the same principle as a canister weld. MIG works OK, buy you have to grind the sides well before working the billet into a blade.

3) Canister weld - Cut the bars so the fit snugly inside of a canister and weld the canister up tight. You want freshly sanded faces on all bars. Weld up and draw out as desired. Grind away the canister on the top and bottom if only re-stacking, or grind it completely away if you will be stacking/welding/twisting.

TIP:
After welding and grinding clean, dunking the billet into the FC tank will show any places that still have low-carbon welding material or canister material.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
The Coal Iron Presses are a good deal.
Any good forge should get to welding temps. NC Tool makes some very good forges. The Atlas Blacksmith forge is also good for welding and very low priced.
Click to expand...
Thanks
I have had the same NC triple burner for decades. I needed the length for machetes and swords
1.It's too big for forge welding. I wanted something smaller to forge weld.
2. I was never happy with the NC achieving and maintaining weld heat.
 
Honestly, if all you want is a welding forge, the best bet is to build a simple tunnel forge with a blown burner. Go to "HighTempToolsandRefractory" and see what they have in kits and supplies.
 
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