Beat myself up over a forge weld for 4 hours straight

I was trying to join two pieces of 1095 and kept getting cold shuts because my heat was dropping by 50 degrees each pass. Has anyone else spent way longer than they should on a simple weld before it finally clicked?

3 comments

3 Comments

miaprice5d ago

Honestly stop beating yourself up over that. 4 hours on a forge weld is nothing if you're learning something new each time. Tbh those 50 degree drops are a classic sign you're not keeping your heat zone tight enough. I've spent whole weekends on a single weld before it clicked and it's frustrating but that's how you build the muscle memory. Ngl the day it finally works you'll forget about all the failed ones. Keep at it and stop calling it a 'simple weld' because forge welding 1095 is its own beast.

cora8134d ago

Ha! Hard disagree honestly. If you're spending whole weekends on one weld you're probably overcomplicating it. Tbh those 50 degree drops mean your forge is drafty or you're rushing the heat up too fast. 1095 is picky but it's not magic, you can get consistent welds in under an hour if you dial in your airflow and stop babying it. Ngl sometimes a fresh start with cleaner steel and less flux is all you need, not grinding through 10 failed attempts.

aliceharris4d ago

Yeah 1095 is real picky about heat. That 50 degree drop you're seeing probably means your forge is losing temp too fast when you open the door or pull the billet. I'd try holding at welding heat for a solid 30 seconds with the door shut before you even think about hammering. Also make sure your flux is bubbling right before you close it up, if it's not turning into glass you're fighting a losing battle.