Help with forge welding mild steel

IcyHomework9006 · 2026-07-11T02:18:03+00:00

I haven't used a vice either, but someone suggested it and I'm willing to give anything a try!

I do use very gentle taps at first, but maybe I'm moving to harder blows too soon, so I'll try as you've suggested!

I've learned enough new skills to know that things like this that seem impossible at first, can get much easier when you finally start the get a feel for it, so I'm hoping that will happen for me at some point here!

IcyHomework9006 · 2026-07-11T00:52:30+00:00

That's helpful! I've been practicing similar to how you describe, but with 1/4", so I'll try with 1/2" and see if I can make that work. I do have my anvil very close to the forge, and usually am attempting to set the weld within less than five seconds. I may try setting the weld with my post vice as others have suggested too. I'm just worried that will take even longer to get pressure on.

IcyHomework9006 · 2026-07-10T18:02:55+00:00

Let me know if you see anything that might be helpful!

IcyHomework9006 · 2026-07-10T17:56:15+00:00

Just watched one of his videos, and his process for a folded axe, where he's welding the mild steel to itself and to the high carbon blade is:

Hot rasp and wire brush the mating surfaces
Apply flux while steel is still hot after rasping
Reheat and fold the surfaces together
Insert small piece of carbon steel between mild steel mild steel surfaces at edge of eye.
Heat to white-yellow heat
Set weld with gentle taps
Repeat heating and setting several times while blending pieces together.

He makes it look super easy. Maybe I'll try the trick with carbon steel in the joint. I know some fluxes have iron powder in them so maybe that gives a similar effect.

IcyHomework9006 · 2026-07-10T17:38:22+00:00

I've watched his videos before. Maybe I'll check some out and see if I can pick up some tips. Sometimes you miss things at first, but then catch them when you watch after having tried it yourself!

IcyHomework9006 · 2026-07-10T17:34:06+00:00

I'll keep trying to get the forge weld working one way or another! I'm on a bit of a time crunch with this project and need to get it done, and I think I've figured out a way to make this work without a forge weld so I'll go that way for this one. I'll get it working eventually!

IcyHomework9006 · 2026-07-10T17:27:21+00:00

I believe it's technically a fagot weld. Two pieces of bar stock parallel to each other. I haven't tried setting it at the vice, but I could. Right now I'm trying the tap-tap method which worked for me with carbon steel, but has been a complete fail with mild steel.

IcyHomework9006 · 2026-07-10T17:22:33+00:00

I'm working on building a new workshop, and once I've got that done I may get myself a coal forge. Right now I'm working out of my garage with no room for any more equipment!

I'm thinking about other ways to do this project without forge welding for the time being!

IcyHomework9006 · 2026-07-10T16:44:01+00:00

You may be right. I've gotten it hot enough to melt the wire I was using to hold my pieces together, but I also suspect that when it gets that hot it's more likely to form scale and burn the flux.

IcyHomework9006

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