Forging ingots?

After pouring, but prior to forging, I remove any resin and then go over the entire ingot removing any little pointy areas, seam flashing and other irregularities. If there is a sharp divot, I file or grind them dull with an abrasive wheel. Then I lightly sand the entire surface. I do most of these operations on a 6" 220 grit expanding sanding wheel. I then forge with a rounded chisel shaped hammer on all sides trying to duplicate in forging the shape that I will eventually be rolling. Anneal and roll. Roll always in the same direction until you anneal next. I maintain this orientation by putting a small sharpie mark on a surface that doesn’t come into contact with the rollers, usually an edge. The mark will allow me to remember the orientation to the rollers. Anneal often. If a feather or burr appears, file or grind it out unless it is in an area that you won’t be using. Lots of fun, and if you screw it up, do it over. I am about to make and roll some 80/20 sheet for a reticulation project. There is a lot of very technical information in the archives about rolling. Go to the end of the article for the what to do and not why summary. Good luck…Rob

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