Keeping scale off during forging

[Breon]

Here I am at the anvil, hammer ready, and I see a piece that’s beginning to scale.
What tricks do you have up your sleeve to keep the surface clean while forging?
Let’s swap ideas so the crew can keep the sparks flying and avoid those pesky flakes.

 

[Sparksmith]

I keep a mix of vinegar and water handy for quick cleaning. A quick dip and wipe during breaks really helps prevent buildup. Combined with regular brushing, it keeps everything looking great while I’m forging

 

[hammertime]

Always have a damp rag nearby to wipe down the workpiece in between heats.
This way I can stop the scale from building up too quickly.
A clean surface really makes a difference in the end results.

 

[FireAndFury]

Picked up the habit of using a wire brush during heat breaks. It’s a fast way to remove the scale and keeps everything running smoothly. Plus, it helps maintain a clean piece for that flawless finish.

 

[FPDoc]

Here I am at the anvil, hammer ready, and I see a piece that’s beginning to scale.
What tricks do you have up your sleeve to keep the surface clean while forging?
Let’s swap ideas so the crew can keep the sparks flying and avoid those pesky flakes.

Two wire brushes. One is a regular big toothbrush style and the other is a big scrub brush style rectangular shape for larger welds that I want to be able to hit in one go or to be able to wipe across before a weld or to clean a spot while forging.

 

[Barry]

A clean fire and proper forging temperature go a long way. I try not to leave steel soaking in the heat any longer than necessary and a quick wire brushing between heats helps keep scale from building up. Some smiths also use anti-scale compounds but good fire management is still the biggest factor.