Tried forge welding with a propane forge and got a surprise

Everyone says you need a coal forge for good welds, but I gave it a shot with my 2 burner propane setup anyway. After 5 tries and 3 ruined billets, I finally got a solid weld at 2350 degrees on a piece of coil spring and mild steel. Turns out a steady hand and a digital thermometer matter more than the fuel source. Has anyone else had luck with propane for this or am I just lucky?

3 comments

3 Comments

felix8241mo ago

That bit about a steady hand and a digital thermometer being more important than the fuel source really hits home for me. I've seen the same pattern everywhere from cooking to woodworking - people get hung up on having the "right" gear when half the battle is just learning to pay attention and make small adjustments as you go. It's like how some guys insist you need a $2,000 smoker to make good barbecue, but I've had better brisket from someone with a cheap kettle grill who just knew how to manage their airflow. Your experience with the propane forge is a good reminder that skill and attention to detail can make up for a lot of equipment gaps.

victorb741mo ago

Man, preach. Seen guys with basic gear blow away the ones with all the fancy tools just by knowing their stuff.

the_lucas1mo ago

2350 degrees and it actually stuck?" That's wild, man. I've been around guys who swear you absolutely need a coal fire to get that white-hot welding temp right and they laugh at propane. But you're saying you hit it with a thermometer and a steady hand? Makes me wonder how many of those old-timers are just repeating what they heard instead of actually trying it themselves.