PSA: That forge welding trick I swore was BS actually works like magic

I've been hammering iron for about 4 years now, mostly making gates and railings on the side. A buddy from the local guild kept telling me to sprinkle a little borax on my joint before heating it up for a weld. I laughed it off for maybe 2 years, figured it was some old timer myth. Finally tried it last Tuesday on a stubborn lap joint for a garden gate, and dang if it didn't fuse cleaner than anything I've ever done. Has anyone else held out on a tip for way too long only to eat their words?

2 comments

2 Comments

christopher9031d ago

...and here I was thinking borax was just for laundry. Took me three years of fighting with a forge weld before I caved. Tried it on a repair for a wrought iron railing. Cleanest fusion I ever got. Still feel like a dummy for ignoring everyone.

jesse_burns823h ago

Three years is a long time to wrestle with forge welds man. I dunno though, I've seen guys nail flux free welds with just the right heat and hammer control. Borax is great and all but it's not some magic bullet that fixes bad technique overnight. Maybe you just needed more practice with your fire management.