TIL you can use a potato to fix a bad forge weld

So I was trying to weld a small billet for a knife handle last week and kept getting cold shuts. My normal flux mix just wasn't cutting it, and I was getting really annoyed. I remembered my grandpa, who was a farrier up in Montana, once told me a story about using a raw potato to clean a weld in a pinch. I figured it was just an old tale, but I was desperate. I cut a spud in half, rubbed the wet end on the steel right before the final heat, and hit it. I swear, it actually worked. The weld took clean, with way less scale than I expected. I'm not saying it's better than proper flux, but it got me out of a jam when I ran out. Has anyone else tried a weird kitchen fix that actually worked on the forge?

3 comments

3 Comments

ray_mitchell5826d ago

My grandpa in Montana swore by that potato trick for years.

gonzalez.nancy26d ago

The potato's water just makes steam, which can actually cause more cracks.

oliver_mitchell6d ago

My buddy tried the potato trick after hearing about it from @ray_mitchell58's grandpa. He was working on a gate hinge and his borax can was empty. He was so sure it would just make a mess, but he gave it a shot. The weld sealed up tight, though he said it threw a lot of steam and sparks. Makes you wonder what other old tricks we've forgotten, doesn't it?