One other thing to consider is other elements contained in the ore that will prevent it's fusion and malleability. One of the old tricks of the trade; when a fellow blacksmith would visit his so called friend blacksmith, he throw a penny in the fire pot of the forge, when the blacksmith wasn't looking. The fumes from the melted penny would prevent the fibers of wrought iron or if forge welding was done; would prevent the fibers or weld from joining. This would sometimes go on for a few days! I'm guessing your case, other foreign elements would do the same. Best to stick to new or scrap known metal, be it old files, springs, etc.
|