FINALLY got my first forge weld to hold after 6 tries

Had to choose between a borax flux and a commercial one I got from a guy at the Greeley swap meet. Went with the borax since it was cheaper and just kept my heat even. It actually stuck this time and I almost dropped the billet I was so happy. Anyone else struggle with getting the temp right on their first forge welds?

2 comments

2 Comments

christopher71323d ago

Man borax is the way to go, isn't it? I went through the same thing with my first billet, felt like I was just burning money until it finally stuck.

butler.abby22d ago

Borax is one of those things where the simplest option usually wins, kind of like how boxed cake mix always turns out better than the from-scratch recipe I tried once. It's the same with welding flux - the old timers knew what they were doing, and borax has been around forever for a reason. My dad taught me that lesson with everything from fixing a leaky pipe to seasoning cast iron, the cheap simple stuff works if you just get the technique down first. Six tries is rough though, I remember pulling my hair out over a simple lap weld that kept failing on me, felt like the universe was just messing with me. Once it clicks though, that feeling of the billet actually fusing together makes all the frustration worth it lol.

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