dontra442 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

I was an apprentice industrial blacksmith for 4 years. I couldn't tell you how many days I spent swinging a 7 pound sledge hammer. We didn't do much forge-welding (too time consuming). A forge is a nice place to work in the winter, but summer is a different story!

wolfmanthepirate (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

@savage1812 in other words, you're 12 and what is this?

savage1812 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

I'm young, turning 12, but I'm very interested in blacksmithing.I want to study it and someday work with it. I dont know... Its like I have a connection with it.

Dragonstud (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

no flux...just forge welding as the heading states....heat and hammer pressure

MarkAspery (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

The flux that I use does two things:1.) It forms a glass around the metal - protecting it from oxidization2.) Being slightly basic (alkaline) it dissolves any oxidization (scale) that has already formedBoth of these properties help keep the weld area clean.Cheers, Mark

Calle2k (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

@MarkAspery I know very little about this.What is the advantage of using flux?

phili878 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

well, yes and no. A friend of mine makes knives but every here and there he gets a client that wants a Katana-sword and that is some good pay. Hunters also want him to make good hunting knives for him and he also sharpens knives for restaurants. But machine metal workers are killing off most of the traditional blacksmiths because they are cheaper, work more precise due to the machines and get things done faster. I blacksmith as a hobby and LOVE making knives

MarkAspery (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

I use anhydrous borax.

inumarudurglaur (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

did u use flux of any kind, like borax?or is this pure heat welding?

trondiosa (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

yes thet to it's alsow to bouns tha hammer up like you dont hawe to lift it all the time like you dont get tierd thet offen.