What Kind of flux to use for Forge welding

Using only a single steel, say 1080, or 1095, or 15N20 - only one of those steels stacked up won't give much of a pattern at all. With good work and etching you might see a slight trace of a pattern, but nothing like the Damascus contrasting pattern normally looked for.

Normally you're looking for the nice shiny of 15N20 contrasting with the deep blacks of 1080/1095, etc.
 
Just found this on the web.
Alloy steel 5160 (a.k.a. AISI 5160) is a high carbon, chromium containing alloy that is often used to make excellent large knives and swords. It's main commercial use has been in the manufacture of leaf suspension springs for automobiles and trucks
would 1560 work for damascus?
Do you know what 1080 or 1095 is used for.
 
RaiderJameson said:
Just found this on the web.
Alloy steel 5160 (a.k.a. AISI 5160) is a high carbon, chromium containing alloy that is often used to make excellent large knives and swords. It's main commercial use has been in the manufacture of leaf suspension springs for automobiles and trucks
would 1560 work for damascus?
Do you know what 1080 or 1095 is used for.
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You want nickle. Do you have time to talk? Over the phone that is since we can't DM? I can explain a little bit if you want. Email me your phone number or email me and I'll give you mine. apremalast@gmail.com

I can text also. Don't worry if you aren't comfortable talking or busy and prefer texting. I get it I'm the same way.
 
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itzuhK-BARdUpGood said:
You want nickle. Do you have time to talk? Over the phone that is since we can't DM? I can explain a little bit if you want. Email me your phone number or email me and I'll give you mine. apremalast@gmail.com

I can text also. Don't worry if you aren't comfortable talking or busy and prefer texting. I get it I'm the same way.
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I can tell you are brand new and you really remind me of myself so I'm willing to spend the time with you to help you get started. 5160,80CrV2,1084+,1095, are for what you are talking about with, the same thing. There is a lot more details than just that however but I don't want to write a novel on here considering I just joined myself. If you contact me over email, I think that you will be glad you did. I'd give you my phone number but I don't know the forum rules yet and my email address is a safer way to give you it. I'm sure you'll be back 😊
 
If you want simple to weld and good looking damascus, use 15N20 (for the bright stripe because of the 2% nickel) and 1084/1075/O-1 (for the dark etching stripes).
I like 1084 and 15N20. Both are cheap, easy to find, and weld together well. They also HT together well - 1475°F, 10-minute soak, quench in fast oil.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
If you want simple to weld and good looking damascus, use 15N20 (for the bright stripe because of the 2% nickel) and 1084/1075/O-1 (for the dark etching stripes).
I like 1084 and 15N20. Both are cheap, easy to find, and weld together well. They also HT together well - 1475°F, 10-minute soak, quench in fast oil.
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R RaiderJameson , what she said ^^^. There's a good bit to practice with and no shame in screwing things up. It's how we all learn!
 
itzuhK-BARdUpGood said:
You want nickle. Do you have time to talk? Over the phone that is since we can't DM? I can explain a little bit if you want. Email me your phone number or email me and I'll give you mine. apremalast@gmail.com

I can text also. Don't worry if you aren't comfortable talking or busy and prefer texting. I get it I'm the same way.
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Sorry I itzuhK-BARdUpGood . Still in high school and dont have a phone. I thank you for the information and willingness but the forum is a good platform for discussion. Any information that is on a thread will show up in a google search if one was looking for it. Id rather have more info available for others.

I guess my question was, Does 5160 weld well with other steels to create damascus? or do i need to get refined steel for that instead of using a leaf spring and other materials.
 
I would recommend you use 1084 and 15n20 to start out with until you get some more experience. It’s the easiest to forge weld. 5160 has a little bit of chrome in it which can be a little bit tricky sometimes.

Hoss
 
fitzo said:
To be honest, I don't know as a non-paying member can DM. Someone else will have to clarify.

And, not a knowledge test as I wish to understand your very certain take on why wetting a stack of steel with an aqueous borate solution isn't a tenable proposition. Sadly, I no longer have a smithy, so I can't test Alex's comment in the real world. However, I fail to see how a thin coat of dried-out borate solution wouldn't coat a billet as well if not better than melting it on. Seems like a good way to protect that billet during the first heat.

And, I fail to understand your reference to salt, and would like to understand that, too.

So, I'd sincerely appreciate an explanation. I'm sure others would, too.
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I can give you an explanation. The idiot was wrong. Ha. Email me at amyhassings24@gmail.com for the explanation fitzo fitzo
 
"Poor soul...you were just too high strung."

Sorry for the intrusion folks. Keep us posted if certain characters should reappear.
 
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