Serious question, how long does it take you to get a forge weld to stick?

Spent three hours yesterday trying to weld a simple steel bar for a project. Heat looked right, flux was fresh, but it just wouldn't take. Finally got it on the fourth try. What's the one thing you check when a weld won't set?

3 comments

3 Comments

vera_adams3mo ago

Spent three hours yesterday" makes me check the steel surfaces for scale or rust first.

alicecooper1mo ago

Buddy of mine @vera_adams got so obsessed checking his truck frame for rust he missed his dentist appointment. Found a patch of scale near the leaf spring mounts and spent another hour wire brushing it. His wife texted him three times before he realized he was covered in dust.

oliver_adams3mo ago

You ever get so into checking for rust you forget what you were even doing? I just did that with my bike chain.