Xref: utzoo rec.org.sca:4689 trial.rec.metalworking:16 Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uunet!zephyr.ens.tek.com!tektronix!nosun!qiclab!m2xenix!oresoft!steve From: steve@oresoft.com (Steve Hampson) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca,trial.rec.metalworking Subject: Re: Blacksmithing Message-ID: <1990Jul30.173915.27898@oresoft.com> Date: 30 Jul 90 17:39:15 GMT References: <1823@otc.otca.oz> Organization: Oregon Software, Inc. Lines: 37 It is nice to find so many people on the net are actively involved in blacksmithing. On the problem of being unable to weld after some period of time: The problem is probably caused by a clinker blocking the airway. You should always clean out your fire just before attempting welding and after about every hour of welding. Problems with clinkers will vary with the quality of coal an design of the forge, but it is a common problem and not insurmountable. On the problem of being unable to drill steel after forging: Don't quench mild steel and try to drill it. You should at least air cool mild steel or better yet anneal it. Most of the holes you need in forge work can be punched instead of drilled. On the subject of gas forges: You *can* forge weld with most gas forges. The steel behaves a little differently, however. You will not get a sparking white heat, the highest temperature you will attain is slightly below that, but a good weld is possible. Several of my friends and I have built portable gas forges that are every bit as good a coal forge without all the dirt, dust and smoke. It is possible to construct your gas forge to allow 2 foot long heats -- try *that* with coal. The national blacksmith's organization is ABANA (Artist Blacksmith's Association of North America). I highly recommend membership to all of you. Please keep cross-posting to rec.org.sca . My news feed is filtering out all the "trial" groups. Perhaps it is time to drop "trial" from rec.metalworking? -- Steve Hampson : uunet - Oregon Software : tektronix \!oresoft.COM!steve Portland, Oregon : reed / steve@oresoft.COM (503) 245-2202 : sun!nosun -