I am accumulating the necessary equipment to make my own damascus. After stacking I understand there are several methods of keeping the layers together before the first weld. Stainless steel wire, tack welding, etc. I was going to purchase an arc welder and an oxyacetalene torch set, but I may have to wait on the arc welder.
Has anyone done their initial tack welds with an oxyacetalene torch? Could the high heat and larger welds cause significant decarb that would be visible later? I have read it is good to tack at one end, in the center, but leave the other end alone so there is a place for the flux to squeeze out. This is all theory for me now, as I have not received my forge or press. I received the 1084 and will be using it with 15N20.
Thanks,
Bill

Bill i use a small 135 mig and or a 250 ac welder for most billet work the both can be found a lowes or welding supply shops pricing will run on the 135 miller about 500 the Ac stick Welder about 350

Thanks, Ron-Do you forsee any problems using an oxyacetalene torch to weld the layers together before forging?

Absolutly not! That welded end will not even be a part of your knife by the time it is done. Either lost to scale or or cut off on the stub. No worries. :101

Thanks, I was hoping that would be the case. I figure I'll get gas welding down first, the go to MIG. The oxy torch is more useful in that it can cut as well, and I like multipurpose tools.

Bill,
A couple of thoughts - What filler will you use to tack the ends of your billet together? Brass will probably not hold together at welding temps, in fact it melts at about 1700 degrees. You can use steel filler the same way you would use a brass rod and that should hold. Now, what will you be using for a handle? I use a 3/4" square steel bar and even a good weld with a mig might not hold the bar to the billet for the duration. You are not going to get as strong a weld with oxy/acet as you will with a mig.
I have a torch and 2 migs, a 135 and a 180 amp. A torch has many uses, but so does a mig welder. You can repair and/or fabricate almost anything you can imagine with it. In my opinion, anybody with a little bit of savvy can become decent with a mig in a short time, possibly even faster than with a torch. You can even start out with flux core wire so you don't need gas right away. But switch to gas when you get a few dollars ahead - it's well worth it and will pay for itself by allowing you to use solid wire. An arc welder probably is the ultimate in penetration but is harder to use than a mig.
I can't say that a mig is more useful than a torch. I probably use my torch more times in a week than the mig, unless I'm making damascus billets. I use it to heat treat small parts for folders all the time, but I could do that in the forge if I really had to. Personally, since I make damascus, if I had to do without one of them, I'd give up the torch. Unless you're cutting up saw blades, I predict you won't be doing that much cutting with it.
Mabe you can borrow a torch or take your billet to one of your buddies shop and try it before you buy one.

Thanks Fischer,
Executing a good weld at the handle is of course very important, but I didn't realize MIG was superior to a gas weld. I thinks I'll get both rigs, a portable gas rig and the Lincoln MIG that argon can be added to later. They will both come in handy for making more tools. I checked the Welder's Handbook today and it stated MIG was superior to gas welds for forged steel. I was thinking of using rebar for a handle, but I like your idea of using 3/4" steel rod. What kind of steel is your handle rod?

Bill,
Rebar would probably work ok, in fact I have used it. I find the 3/4" steel bar won't bend as easily at welding or forging heats with a billet on the end of it. The steel is commonly called weld steel. Not sure about the chemistry but probably not a lot of carbon. Maybe like 1018 or even less. Argon is a good choice of gas. You can weld aluminum with it if the need arises and it works fine on steel. A co2/argon mix is recommended for steel but I use pure argon as I weld aluminum sometimes as well. When you switch from flux core to shielding gas you won't believe how much easier it is to weld and almost no spatter. very smooth. Did I mention that welding is fun?
Good luck!

ok does everyone start with a press these days. I started with my arm and a hammer and not much more. sorry to gripe. My advice is to talk to a good welder and don't worry about the rest. I suggest a arc welder ( a small buzz box ) to start. If you learn to weld well with that you can weld with most anything. Also try to tie a bundle with bailing wire. It will teach you a lot about tolerances of your plates, rods, triagles, squares, or whatever shape you are welding in your forge. Hope you have fun and good luck. Raymond Johnson