Finally got my forge welds to stick every time

I kept having trouble with my forge welds coming apart... no matter how hot I got the steel, it just wouldn't fuse right. Tried flux and hammering harder, but still got cold shuts. Then I started paying attention to the sound when I tap it... a dull thud means it's too cold, a sharp ring means it's ready. So I waited for that ring, then gave it a few solid blows with the cross peen. Next thing I know, the weld held tight and clean. Took a bunch of scrap pieces to practice, but now I can do it without thinking. Feels good to solve something that's bugged me for weeks.