Subject: forge welding ? what heat ? what hammer ?

From: Sebastian Laiblin <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 1996 21:18:09 +0200 (MET DST)

hey,

my new build forge works well, i have tried it today the first
time .. really wonderful.
but now my question:

i want to make my own damascus steel (real damascus or cable damascus).
i tried to forge weld a steel cable to a steel bar today.
i made experience that the weld would be easy when the steel is light
yellow and there are many little stars sprinkling(?) away from when
taking out of the fire, then its easy to weld with a 1kg=2pounds
hammer. now a friend of mine meaned the stars would mean that the steel 
is overheated and burns away, that could be the true i think.
so, how to forge weld ?
what hammer to use ? hammering very hard ? what color should the steel 
have ? ... ?
please dont tell me to buy "the complete bladesmith", i ordered these
days, it should be very good about this ... but delievery need approx.
six weeks to germany ... sorry, but i am too curious about ;-)
hope i dont ask what other asked 42 times ago (why 42 ???) :)

thank for helping und tschuess !!! -=> SEBASTIAN <=-

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From: [email-masked] (Raymond Coon)
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 1996 16:56:42 -0700 (PDT)

Sebastian,

A good way to tell if you are at the right heat is to use a heavy iron wire
or small rod.  As the heat rises on the piece you want to weld, push the
wire or small rod against it (the wire or rod must also be heated).  When
the wire feels "sticky" you are at or near welding heat.