78 MODERN BLACKSMITHING 



give a couple of blows right over the end of the under 

 tire. Next tap the swelled sides down over the tire. 

 This will hold the tire together so that it cannot slip 

 to either side, and the swelled end of the under tire 

 will prevent it from pulling out. If the top end has 

 been so bent that it has a tendency to press down and 

 out a little, the tire will now be in a good shape to 

 weld. 



Before you put the tire into the fire, let me remind 

 you of what I have said before about the fire. Many 

 blacksmiths are never able to weld a tire tight on the 

 outside because of a poor, low, and unclean fire. If 

 the fire is too old or too fresh it will not give a good 

 heat for welding tire. If you have a good big fire high 

 up from the tuyer, then you are all right. Place your 

 tire in the fire and proceed as follows: No matter 

 whether it is an iron or soft steel tire, sand is the best 

 welding compound and nothing else should be used; 

 but if you lose the first heat then borax might be used 

 as it will prevent the tire from scaling and burning. 

 When you have the right heat, place the tire on the 

 anvil this way ; let the tire rest against the inside edge 

 of the anvil. If the lower end of the tire is allowed to 

 come down on the anvil it will cool off and can never 

 be welded that way. Now hold the tire this way until 

 you have the hammer ready to give the first blow. 

 Then let the tire down and strike the first blows 

 directly on top and over the end of the under end. 

 This is important and if the first blows are not directed 

 to this very place the lower end will be too cool to 

 weld when you get to it. Next weld down the upper 



