Hammer Pulley Tension | Problem Solving | Forum

Well I have had a disappointing failure this evening, I was trying to forge weld the cable hunks I have and I am not quite sure if its the cable itsself or the hammer. During the first couple attempts at hammering it to bar form, the hammer slowed to almost uselessness about 2 or 3 times. I started by warming to red and adding the flux then bringing it up to mid orange and then tightening the wire up as best I can. ( I do wonder about my strength since the injury ) then when the wire was stiff from tightening I brought it up to bright orange/yellow and proceeded to use the power hammer. I got 3-4 good hits them it petered out. So I went back to forge with it and same thing 2 more times. So I threw that hunk to the ground and tossed in the w-1 I had sitting and even at bright orange/yellow it took forever to try and draw out the neck to make a leaf and even after I for the neck thinned finally I could not get the bud to 'blossom' . The motor is a 3hp 1750 and runs fine, I just dont know if I can get the tension tighter on my own. It could be the limited strength I have since the accident in 04.

Any thoughts? Even from Sam who I know dislikes me.