Tried forge welding with a propane torch instead of a coal fire and got a better bond

Everyone told me you need a real forge fire to get a solid weld, but I gave it a shot with a Bernzomatic TS8000 on some 1/4 inch mild steel straps last Tuesday. The joint held up under a 50 pound drop test and I could see the grain flow in the etch. Has anyone else had luck with a torch for small projects?

2 comments

2 Comments

baker.phoenix14d ago

Hold on there. A propane torch can get steel hot enough for a small weld, but calling it a "better bond" is a real stretch. The real test isn't a drop from 50 pounds, it's how the metal holds up under repeated stress or a bend test. You might have gotten lucky with the grain flow on that one piece, but a proper forge fire gives you way more control over the heat and the soak time. It's kind of like comparing a campfire to a kitchen stove, both can cook a hot dog but one is a lot more reliable for doing it right.

karen_sanchez1013d ago

I tried using a propane torch for a small repair on a garden tool once and it worked fine for that one quick job. The metal held up because I wasn't asking much from it, just a tiny weld on a thin piece. But when I tried it on something thicker like a trailer hitch, it was a total mess. The heat just wasn't consistent and I ended up with a weak joint that cracked the first time I put any real weight on it. A forge gives you that steady heat you need for stronger work, torches just don't cut it for anything serious.