Except my home plan already includes roaming for less hassle.

Wait, isn't the whole point of antioxidant paste to stop that exact crusty corrosion? Sounds like you got a bad batch or a really cheap brand. For damp spots, I've had good luck with the No-Ox-ID stuff, the red kind. It's thick and stays put, never had it wash out or fail early.

A whole DAY wasted? That's brutal.

Write what you know" always sounded like homework to me...

Man, that "one heat" trap is so real. I used to do the same thing trying to forge bottle openers in a single go, and the last twist would always be weak because the metal was too cold. So what's the actual breaking point for you now? Like, on a tight scroll, do you reheat after the first 90 degrees, or is it more about feeling the steel stiffen up?