Jump to content
I Forge Iron

thingmaker3

Members
  • Posts

    757
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by thingmaker3


  1. Temper has its origin in the old english word Temprian, with the meaning "to modify some excessive quality; to restrain within due limits" Temprian comes from the Latin word Temperare, which means "To mix correctly, moderate, regulate, blend"

    Sorry. I've just got an arguing problem :P


    Problem is, we're agreeing instead of arguing. Or maybe that's not a problem. :D
  2. I'm not perfect enough to keep the burn marks 100% off my hammer handles. No fiberglass for me, thanks - I can't stand the smell of burning synthetics. I've occasionally used fiberglass handles on framing hammers, but I don't like the way they feel. I do indeed like the leather-covered steel-handled framing hammers. Never tried a steel-handled smith's hammer.

  3. Experiments on plain carbon steels show no more than a point or so Rc improvement - less than the error range on your average Wilson tester. Still worth it for perfectionists or thrillseekers.

    The higher alloy steels will see substantial improvement, as they have lower Mf temps and much more retained austenite.

  4. It is important to learn the difference between "specifications" such as "A36" or "A66" and "grades" such as "O1" or "L6."

    A "specification" is a list of performance standards, possibly including a microstructural requirement or loose limits on composition.

    A "grade" is a fairly tight limit on composition with no regard whatsoever to microstructure or performance.

  5. "Tempering" is a very very old word recently re-defined to a tighter meaning.

    The original meaning was simply and vaguely "heat treating." About a century ago (give or take) the term "temper" was also used to refer to carbon content.

    Nowadays "temper" means "a subcritical heat treatment to improve the toughness of martensitic microstructures by the formation of various distributions of iron and alloy carbides." (Definition paraphrased from George Krauss.)

  6. Per the ASM's Source Book on Stainless Steels, the non-magnetic 300 series should be forged 1700F to 2000F or more. Actual ranges depend on actual alloy, of course. I'm told that is a salmon-to-orange range. (I don't forge by color because I suck at judging color. I forge by brightness.)

    And, yes, forging stainless will make a man out of you if you survive the experience. :huh:

  7. You can have them sandblasted to clean them down to the steel. Optionally, you can buy a power supply and the correct alkaline chemical for electrolyitic removal. I'd go with sandblasting.

  8. I still have my college chemistry textbook. B)

    "Inert" means "wont react under our specific circumstances." The definition of "inert" therefore changes along with circumstances.

    Nitrogen can indeed be used as an inert gas for some operations, but not for others.

  9. I began my blacksmithing hobby about seventeen years ago while working in a factory. Part of my job involved making precise (+ or - 0.015) adjustments on just-welded (CNC MIG) parts by beating them with a mallet. Curios about blacksmithing as a result, I read Bealer. That got me hooked.

    My 25 are: eye protection, hearing protection, proper clothing, big hammer, medium hammer, little hammer. anvil, forge, vice, cold chisel, big hot chisel, medium hot chisel, small hot chisel, tongs for small stuff, tongs for medium stuff, small punches, medium punches, drifts, top swages/fullers, and bottom swages/fullers.

  10. Here we get into the very grey area, of definitions, ... and mine might not be the same as yours ......


    http://en.wikipedia....h_%28drawing%29

    Some smiths bring cameras to hammer-ins or classes. I bring a sketch pad. I also use one to record any ideas I have.

    I sketch whatever is required of me. :)

    (I can also make technical drawings, either with CAD or the old fashioned way, but that is not "sketching." And tech drawing for blacksmiths is the same as tech drawing for anyone else. Only the subject matter changes.)
×
×
  • Create New...