Steve Sells

Welcome to I Forge Iron, feel free to ask if you get lost as this site is getting bigger all the time.

[steve sells] simple twist
[JJ] don't think mid 50's will hold an edge against cutting into oyster shell...that's one of my qu4estions...
[steve sells] D-2 would hold up well for same reasons we choose that for the garden Hoe
[lobodag] L-6 rusts to easy
[markb] They arn't sharp just a pry bar
[brucegodlesky] what about the twisting action?
[JJ] last 2 knives i finished were
[JJ] d-2
[steve sells] strength, and wont get worn away Rather you than ME jj dont like the High Chrome steels much not that I dont have respect things made from it, I just don't like to work them
[JJ] i can get a 61 Rc on D-2 out of my gas forge. so i don't mind working it. would not want to if i did not have the 100 lb power hammer.
[Finnr] Tungsten :whistle:
[steve sells] Bad Finnr LOL
[Finnr]LOL!!!
[steve sells] Go sit on that Rock in the corner
[markb] The soft one
[steve sells] and dont get yourself cut on the sword sticking out from it
[Finnr] One with a sord in it?
[Finnr] Glenn closed that thread! LOL
[markb] Don't tell
[steve sells] but Glenn getst to kill the best ones LOL
[Finnr] Some are that bad Huh?
[steve sells] but I get blamed for it by a few people in the forum.
[JJ] anyone know what an "electron beam" weld is?
[fat pete] lol
[JJ] Bruce, i never saw a pic of any of your blades...got a website?
[brucegodlesky] BirdogForge.com it's under construction but have some stuff on there
[steve sells] anyway weather allowed me ot forge again so I finaly habve the PRoject knife geting ready
[brucegodlesky] I just finished a month of turkey hunting so missed a lotof things
[JJ] Bruce, i too am a dog lover. getting a new puppy this sunday matter of fact.
[Finnr] Vice stuff Bruce
[brucegodlesky] what brand? thanks Finnr
[steve sells]to help one of my apprentices, we ground that last failed blade and at 45 Micron we could see spider web crack half inch long and ONLY on one side
[Finnr] Nice stuff *
[JJ] german shephard crossed with border collie...all brown color with faint black highlights.
[markb] What caused that
[steve sells] we did it to show him WHY i gave up after I heard a crack sound when cooling,
[markb] How many slaves you got
[steve sells]I let it rest on anvil after forging while I refilled my coffee. and heard THAT sound
[Finnr] Bad sound!!
[steve sells] I own 3 apprentices, only one works regularly
[brucegodlesky] TINK!!!!
[JJ] oh, man! the steel heat sink syndrome.
[brucegodlesky] I'm down to 2 dogs now JJ
[markb] I haven't heard that yet oh well my time is coming
[steve sells] dong, mid 30's 5 yrs app, Chris (A member here but has not posted) is 15 yr, 3yr app, and my 13 yr old son
[Finnr] Almost as bad as when the Dr says OOPS!!!
[steve sells] so the remake after forging, and normalizing (I never set a glowing blade down BTW) I placed it in the Vermiculite to cool, as Rich Hale advised me.
[markb]You got your hands ful
[JJ] Bruce i have a 4 yr of ger shep now the new pup...i think this one ought to make a fine tracker/hunter. time will tell....then we want to breed him with a sled dog.
[steve sells] Bruce it was not a TINK,, it was actualy more like Ice cubes in a glass of water
[brucegodlesky] ya mean it kinda crackled?
[JJ] all hot forge work in my shop gets dropped ina lime bucket or air hung. one mistake ever once in a while is enough reminder of my stupidity
[steve sells] ice breaking up crackle is close
[markb] ear plugs won't help
[steve sells] JJ I have 4 hangers for air cooling near the anvil so its not like I have a lot of effort to do it :
[steve sells] But I wanted Chris to see why I was not using it anymore to show him WHY its not safe to try to salvage after a crack I explained, tho we can see that one squiggle line in the steel, and it does not go all the way though, what about other cracks we can not see? what ever caused this (stress) may have caused more... not worth the risk it was only 90F in shop then

[markb] hey whats up with the abs and other groups
[steve sells] This weekend the ABS is having the East KNife show in Atlanta Rich Hale has a table there
[Finnr] Hope he does well. He has been trying to get into that show for quite a while
[steve sells] hard to get in, as ABS is so clique, in most cases non members aint welcome, I have been told too many times so I gave up trying to talk to them, mostly
[Finnr] Don't start Jim on them
[markb] you gotta know someone to get in?
[steve sells] even had One member tell me I should not be making Damascus because I dont have a ABS JS stamp yet, then on the other hand People like Kevin Cashen are ABS masters, and great to talk too, very respectful and helpful toall.
[Finnr] I ain't got an apprentice stamp. I make it!
[steve sells] 10:08 pm: I can join, but one local person told me I have to pay the member ship AND atend their week long Beginner class ?he never even looked at my blades... but decided I have to pay for a week long Beginner smighing class way down south >? its nuts, I refused, so the phone call ended.

[steve sells] ok People, Welcome to the Friday night Knife chat at I Forge Iron What do we wish to cover tonight ?
[Finnr] There was some interesting cablemascus talk in the forum
[steve sells] wanna cover cable welding ?
[brucegodlesky] cable is fun stuff:-)
[Finnr] I'm easy, (cheaptoo )
[markb] lets go
[fat pete] ever have a hard time keeping a knife straight
[brucegodlesky] when it goes good , it is great
[Finnr] as in warping in HT?
[brucegodlesky] I made up 2 sets of BBQ tools this week from it
[brucegodlesky] no Steve, as in welding
[steve sells] ok Bruce wanna stat telling us how to get going ?
[Finnr] I need to pick up some cable
[steve sells] me too Fat pete said something about bringing some here next month
[brucegodlesky] I start by electric welding the ends of each piece
[fat pete] have one i have been messing with and i heat it up i use cedar hammer and wack out the wammy and stick it in lime and the wammy is there when it cools
[brucegodlesky] get it hot and beat it on the anvil to clean out all the grase and junk
[fat pete] 10:14 pm: i dont have a weldr
[brucegodlesky] Then forge weld the ends first. Wrap the ends with wire first
[Finnr] You untwist at all to flux Bruce?
[fat pete] just like a pattern weld
[brucegodlesky] after the ends are welded, untwist and flux
[Finnr] OK
[brucegodlesky] Then get 'er hot
[steve sells] you use your anvil face? or a v swage?
[brucegodlesky] When you think it's hot enuff, wait 5 more minutes, not yet Steve. I have a pipe vise mounted on the bench and put one end in there and twist with a pipe wrench, Twisting mebbe 3-4 inches at a time
[steve sells] ok
[brucegodlesky] Then go back and do it again.
[fat pete] how long is the piece you are starting with
[brucegodlesky] You'll feel it weld right up solid oh, anywhere from a foot to 2 feet
[brucegodlesky] I been using 1 1/4" cable lately I like to have a young guy around to help with hte twisting
[Finnr] Lets me out. LOL
[fat pete] so you really wanna crank down on it
[steve sells] finnr did you sell off yer apprentices?
[brucegodlesky] Ya but not twist it off
[Finnr] Had too they ate too much!
[markb] so the twisting is making the weld?
[steve sells] i have pipe vise mod's I built for my band saaw, but never got arouns to making them for the legt vise...
[brucegodlesky] : After it's welded on the twist, take it to the anvil and hammwer in the direction of the twist. All them lil wickers will weld to the billet.
[brucegodlesky] The twisting welds the inside material
[Finnr]Got a machinists vise with pipe jaws on it
[brucegodlesky] I pretty much follow Dr Jim's directions.
[Finnr] He's a REAL bad influence. LOL
[brucegodlesky]Tried it with a V swedge and couldn't get it to weld right
[fat pete] : who dat
[brucegodlesky] : Ya he is
[brucegodlesky] JPH, he's in often
[Finnr] got me trying a composite
[brucegodlesky] I also tried taking it right to the hammer after twisting and didn't get goos welds
[brucegodlesky] good welds
[fat pete] composit handle materiel
[markb] Any folding for pattern?
[Finnr] Best luck ihave had is in a round groove in my block Composite blade Pete
[brucegodlesky] Once it's welded, then ya can stretch it out and fold I've thought that would work well Finnr
[fat pete] like carbon fiber or somethin
[Finnr] Ancient Norse style Pattern weld
[brucegodlesky] But I don't have a block yet
[brucegodlesky] I made 2 sets of BBQ tools from about a foot of cable They aere about $75 right?
[Finnr] Saltfork Craftsmen, sell real nice blocks
[Finnr] Up a bit now mine was 111 a couple years back
[steve sells] I was too cheap to pony up and buy a nice swege so I got a block of tool steel and using the mill....
[Finnr] Saltfork Craftsmen
[JJ] I have two client6s coming over sunday wanting to order fillet knives for combination fish/abalone, plus oyster knives.
[brucegodlesky] I think that would work very well
[steve sells] thank you
[steve sells] reasonable priced too
[brucegodlesky] IIRC, Sweany uses a swedge made fronm a piece of angle
[steve sells] but not the shapes I want at a knife /sword maker
[fat pete] its a good price
[JJ] i developed a system to use tree limbs for swages using a hardy t3neon, drilled and bolted to a 1/8" x 1" strap. they are really nice.
[Finnr] Yep even with shipping
[steve sells] so I make my own to size/shape, hammering out the hfurnature for sword scabbards, need speical things
[Finnr] My first swage block was a short hunkof RR rail
[steve sells] Bruce for cable, I welded up some heavy duty angle Iron and added a hardy stump
[brucegodlesky] that'll work
[steve sells] 6 inches long 2inch sides
[brucegodlesky] 1 just have to keep everything gathered together
[Finnr] every time I get it together I forget where I put it?
[JJ] i use opened out, half-round bottom swages for gang forge welds.
[brucegodlesky] main thing is keep it all hot
[steve sells] I will have to try Bruce methiod of twisting like craxy are welding temp before hammering
[Finnr] I was just saying JJ that I use the half rounds in my SF block for cable welds
[brucegodlesky] I had a cable blade last wek that wouldn't harden
[steve sells] some cane be less carbon , BUT I have toi ask did you thermal cycle it a lot ?
[brucegodlesky] 3 times in the quench and still sodft
[steve sells] TOO many cycles can reduce hardenability
[brucegodlesky] yes I did
[steve sells]ok 3 aint too much LOL
[JJ] distracted here with stir-fry with raspberry/chipolte sauce
[brucegodlesky] Give it to my cousin to fool with in his oven. Finally got it to harden in water
[steve sells] but there is a report at another site, whee they tested a few, and 12 cycles lowered too much to harden a 1080, the test was by HOward Clarke I think
[brucegodlesky] brand new cable too I heard him talk about that before
[steve sells] on the other hand a grain size of 3 can probably only be acheived by someone LIKE howard
[steve sells] for most of us,. 10 or less is great
[JJ] 10:40 pm: 3, 10,wh at? microns?
[steve sells] I never had mine teasted, the munbers I use only for referance in reading reports...
[Finnr]We good. He's gooder!
[steve sells] microns I think
[brucegodlesky] I have 2 more billets of that stuff and don't know if I'll fool with them. might just turn them into bs items
[JJ] bruce, turn them into jewelery...lot of money there.
[steve sells] IF your cable is just old standard grade lpow share, and not newex X or XX inproved., its close to 1065
[brucegodlesky] that's an idea too
[brucegodlesky] this come of a respool job on a dragline
[JJ] 10:41 pm: for jewelery, 1 cu in is good for $300
[steve sells] add too many thermal cycles refining the grain very small, and I can see it needing water or Brine to harden, Nothing wrong with that, I bet that bvlade would stand a LOT of abuse before it broke, thats a good thing
[brucegodlesky] I'll get it back this week to regrind
[steve sells] get it back ?
[brucegodlesky] ther blade
[JJ] from cousin
[brucegodlesky]that wouldn't harden
[JJ] : any you guys ever made an oyster opening knife?
[steve sells] not a lot of Oysters in Indiana JJ
[fat pete] lots around here
[brucegodlesky] there are some in the rivers here
[JJ] need to be about 3" long by 1 1/8" wide, good belly shape...not shave sharp, but MUST hold edge against shell cutting to open. and lots of hard sideways prying on the blade.
[brucegodlesky]why JJ?
[markb] Had one marked will&finck once
[brucegodlesky] : mid 50's??
[steve sells] I hav eused them, never made one
[markb] Kid got a hold of it and lost it
[brucegodlesky] RC
[JJ] Bruce, i have 2 clidnts coming over sunday, for fillet/oyster knife orders.
[brucegodlesky] what steel ya using
[steve sells] I do have an order for pattern weld Fillet, I will use O-1 and L-6

Since no one has asked the most basic questions here, I will.

How many swords have you made ? and Why do you wish to use Titanium for this one ?

I ask this about anyone asking me about a specific metal for their blade, Because as the blade maker I know what I can get from my steels, but knowing the requirements the client has for for performance, I may agree with them OR suggest an alternate material. Most the time the steel they requested was because they heard something somewhere, not for any definitive reason.

That link seems needed lately, as we have had a rash of "strange" posts being made.

Umm I need to update that page, I have an Indoor forge now at least I have photos in the gallery here. I better get to updating my web site:)

Sorry to hear Frosty. When Katashi survived her 16th summer, I was not convinced she would even see winter. I didn't feel right having a stranger help her to leave this world, since I have been with her since I rescued her half-wolf pack when she was 1 week old. One of My Jujitsu students is a vet, and my EMT status allowed him to safely give me a syringe for when her time came.

I was lucky and did not have to use it, she passed peaceably just after eating her lunch while napping in the sunlight. I dug her grave in the spot she liked to nap so often. As I dug in the hard November soil, 2 friends/neighbors arrived with shovels, and helped me to dig, as I cried, it started to rain.

This goes to show the old adage "..of true friends will help bury a body". I hope Buran found a place as nice to rest, with as much Love.

Given the size, polar bear would be a close fit.

I like your usage of the Space rocks better than mine.

DOCTORS:

(A) The number of physicians in the U.S. is 700,000.
( Accidental deaths caused by Physicians per year are 120,000.
© Accidental deaths per physician is 0.171.
Statistics courtesy of U.S. Dept of Health Human Services.
~ ~ ~ ~
Now think about GUNS :
(A) The number of gun owners in the U.S. is 80,000,000. (Yes, that's 80 million)
( The number of accidental gun deaths per year, all age groups, is 1,500.
© The number of accidental deaths per gun owner is .000188.
Statistics courtesy of FBI
So, statistically, doctors are approximately 9,000 times more dangerous than gun owners.

So remember, 'Guns don't kill people, doctors do.'

FACT: NOT EVERYONE HAS A GUN, BUT ALMOST EVERYONE HAS AT LEAST ONE DOCTOR.
Please alert your friends to this alarming threat. We must ban doctors before this gets completely out of hand!!!!!

P.S. Out of concern for the public at large, the statistics on LAWYERS have been withheld, for fear the shock would cause people to panic and seek medical attention!

Congrats! 31 years is rare in this so called modern age. Today many are so use to throw away everything, some even think marriage is disposable, rather than a precious gift. People like you and your wife, give me hope only 14yrs for Cherese and I on June 17. That is so wonderful to hear of long lasting commitments!

one thing I am positive will take it off. Blaze belts in 40 grit will eat anything. :)

go for it. I have found it is cheaper to buy old sledges at yard sales and grind them, than to pay for new ones.

I remember when I built up my rolling mill, I pre-set the angles and connections with 1/4-20 bolts to keep them aligned. With small bolts acting as pivots they can be adjusted, rather than a tac weld. Some of the plate I used was 1 inch thick.

When it was all square I borrowed a diesel powered 400 amp Lincoln from work. Before I touched my mill, I welded a few 1 inch scraps, then after cooling, I cut it up on the band saw to inspect my welds since I don't have an Xray at home. Then I welded the mill, because I am not a welder, I am Electrician.

Having said that, even with my sacrificial tests being 100%, I will Sub-Con my Press frame. My mill has about only 2 to 3 ton of pressure and it has held up fine. A press at 40 to 50 ton I want to make sure its safe.

If you are trying to use "old smithing coal" that may be why you cant get it to burn, as it has already been used up.

Also interesting how many New Guy's use wood in their forge, and can't get coal to burn in Norwalk area of Ct. Also solid fuels can go boom, so be careful.

I just restocked all my belts 2 weeks ago, it may be a while before I re order.

Never noticed that before, found the 220 in 3m Regalite and Norton 823 and 984 thanks.

plenty of information here if you search for Heat treating. Welcome to I Forge Iron.

my coal does not burn hot enough with a hand crank blower.

you may want to check the blower to see it its blocked, Also we coke up the coal burning off the volatiles, and use the breeze aka coke before using it directly to heat the steels. I cant imagine how wood could get hotter than good coal, or even bad coal LOL

Yup, common sense say's its bomb bits I have no clue what they are sending, that's why I started this thread to get ideas, the Email said "Military EOD scraps" there is no listing in my Heat treating notebook for that grade lol ;)

most ceramics outlast the other type many times, AO leaves a fine finish but wear so fast, Love to get 220 and 400 in ceramic too , thanks !

umm mr. sells just a thought eod is explosive ordinance disposal. i think you may have ied shrapnel (impovised explosvie device). just my 2 cents worth and i hope it turns out well.

interesting ID you made, considering I don't even have the steel from them yet. Your profile reminds me of another new guy that posts a lot here.

not sure why you even bother to get 320, as I found 220 then to 400 is fine,

You may have miss typed when you said all except 80 is ceramic, as I have never seen fine grits in ceramic. But if thats not a typo, then where did you find those?

For rougher grits I run my Bader B3 at close to 6,000 Ft/min, above 220/400 grit I slow down to about 3k, I can run from 1000 to 7400 ft/min.

While I am sure the belts from 3M and Norton are recommended to run slower... I know a maker that runs around 9,000 ft/min. So it may not be the belts fault they are flying apart. Look into the machine, if you find out why and fix it, you will be surprised how fast you can clean up stock at higher belt speeds.

Great guys, I don't have the job yet, just an Email request. They being an active unit, I will give them a price break. I can't afford to give this away, but they are giving me more in their services to us here back home, so I will low ball the price a lot.