Spent a whole weekend trying to get a clean weld on a Damascus billet

Turns out my old flux was way too damp from sitting in my unheated shop all winter. Dried a new batch in the kitchen oven for an hour and the next weld was perfect on the first try. Anyone else have a simple fix that saved you from a massive time sink?

3 comments

3 Comments

logan_ellis7d ago

That's a solid reminder to check the basics first! It's so easy to chase a complex problem when the fix is just getting back to square one with your materials. My buddy spent a month fighting porosity, only to find his argon tank was nearly empty the whole time. The regulator showed pressure, but the flow was a trickle. Sometimes the solution isn't adding a new tool, it's just making sure the old ones actually work right.

nina_campbell7d ago

My first forge was a brake drum setup with a hair dryer for air. I wasted three Saturdays trying to get a good heat because the dryer speed was too high and erratic. Finally just put a simple dimmer switch from a hardware store in line with the power cord for about eight bucks. The control it gave me was stupidly simple, but it changed everything. I felt like an idiot for not trying a basic voltage regulator sooner.

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the_thea7d ago

Wait, you ran a hair dryer for three whole Saturdays straight? Those things are built for like ten minute bursts, max. I'm shocked the motor didn't melt into a puddle of plastic and regret. That dimmer switch fix is genius, but honestly I'm more amazed the dryer survived the attempt.