How to Fire Weld
Fire welding, also known as forge welding, is the first process by which separate pieces of iron were joined together into a single piece. The pieces are heated in a furnace or fire until they reach the proper temperature, at around 1300 degrees Fahrenheit, then the two pieces are pounded together with a hammer until the pieces merge together.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Welder's tongs
- Flux
- Anvil
- Hammer or other blacksmith pounding tool
- Large drum of water
Instructions
-
-
1
Use a hot fire, whether you are using a furnace or a contained fire pit. It is important to have the fire as hot as possible. It should be at least 1500 degrees, which is hot enough to easily manipulate most metals. Judging the temperature of a fire that hot isn't easy, but most experienced blacksmiths are able to determine whether a fire is at the correct temperature based on the look and sound of the fire and flame.
-
2
Prepare the pieces that will be joined together. It's important that the pieces are clean of contaminants, dry and at a temperature that is neither too cold or two hot. Generally, blacksmiths prefer to join pieces that aren't too thin, since thinner pieces can warp or create air pockets in the material when they are joined together.
-
-
3
Slide the ends of the pieces that will be joined slowly into the fire. Once they have heated up, remove them and sprinkle flux (most commonly borax) onto the hot pieces. The flux is added to melt and coat the pieces and prevent oxidation.
-
4
Return the pieces to the flame and bring them up to the correct temperature. There is no set rule for how long this takes, much of the clues are visual and are learned by experience. Generally, if you begin to see molten drops coming off the end or if the material begins to resemble butter left out in the sun, then the pieces are ready to be joined together.
-
5
Remove the pieces from the flame and begin hammering them together on the anvil, beginning at one edge and working your way around. The begin hammering in the inner sections of the weld. It may be necessary to return to the heat and repeat these steps several times until the pieces have been joined together in a way that is stable and solid.
-
6
Dip the pieces slowly into a large vat or barrel of water. This helps set the weld and cool the final piece.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
