There must be a secret sauce for forge welding 5160. I had a busy weekend and made a 300 layer ladder damascus knife, a 340 layer raindrop ulu, so the forge welding isnt the problem. The socket weld on the spear kicked my butt! I used 5160 for the spear, but only got about 50% of the seam to weld and had to fix the rest with a mig welder. Any tips on forge welding 5160... It seems like its a real bear to forge weld... (this was my first time working with 5160)
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Bob Bryenton
Solar Storm Group Ltd.
Phone: (780) 953-0016
Email: [email protected]
https://www.solarstorm.ca
“The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible" -- Arthur C. Clarke
5160 has a high chromium content that quickly forms a chrome oxide layer that likes to bugger the weld. It really doesn't like to weld to itself, but it can be welded more easily to another HC steel, like 1080+ series. A thin shim between the 5160 will work.
“So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.”
I like that idea! Another smith told me to use a mild steel socket and then forge weld the socket to the 5160 tip. I didn’t understand until your explanation that it welds better to other steels. I might try the thin shim too. I have a bunch of free 5160 and would really like to put it to use.
Thanks for the explanation.
Bob Bryenton
Solar Storm Group Ltd.
Phone: (780) 953-0016
Email: [email protected]
https://www.solarstorm.ca
“The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible" -- Arthur C. Clarke
I have a bunch of free 5160 and would really like to put it to use.
Make a bunch of cleavers!
“So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.”
