J. Bennett

Hello.
I'm looking for a home, surface nitriding technique, if that is possible. It's more for a durable surface coloring system, than a hardening scenario.
I know they do that for high end plumbing fixtures and such, but in a million dollar vapor deposit chamber.
Any cool ideas out there? Thanks.

I'd be worried about the thermite melting the cast iron off the bottom of that Fisher's face plate myself.

The steel face is awful thin. Down to about 1/8 inch. A cracked edge on 1 corner.

It's a block anvil. Lots of rebound and no ring. Typical Fisher. I hope to keep it's personality.

EDIT: Can't find a pic of the old girl. Here is a place to go, to see some of my more, refined thermite escapades.... YouTube - steelace1p1's Channel

you should Post pics of it here so we could see how bad it is. It cant be that bad. Remember youl need to harden the whole surface afterwards because your plate will probably be normalized and way softer than the original face. Your undertaking is out of reach for alot of people i hope you get all the information you need before even thinking about it.

Bennett, I hope you dont destroy the anvil! It would be a shame:(

Good luck

I'm going to try it.
It might take 2 runs. You just need to make a form, put the anvil on it's side and pre heat the joint/face with a big rose bud. That's all.
I have a favorite Fisher that needs a new face. I'll post it if y'all want. ... when I get around to it.

...........

Now if you want to experiment with your own alloying look into thermite experiments done by a fellow and posted over at the bladesmith's cafe at swordforum.com. Of course you have little control on uptake in such experiments. And thermite does not play nice, any mistakes and you will be on the evening news and the FBI's "list".

but ya gotta know that Jerry is a member of the >5000F club

I also read from a "Fundamentals of Metallurgy" text, something about molten Iron acting much like a solvent in dissolving other higher-melting-point-temperature elements.

Cool links, as usual Czar:)

You don't need to reach the melting point of refractory alloys.. BUT you should try to get close. I did it, but used ferro tungsten. a little easier than using elemental tungsten. here is how I did it. YouTube - Boiling Iron

Can do!
Grandpa was a SeaBee, (plank holder), and was stationed at Pearl when it happened. His unit was the first on the scene, and began work, even as the attack was going on.

St paul.. I just drove thru there a couple hours ago lol.

Well, nice to see you here. I post on Don's site as R.K. Nichols. We have conversed on Don's site.

J. Bennett, do you post on the Don Fogg site as "Bennett"?

Rural St. Paul, closer to old Champooeg, on the east bank of the Willamette.

Howdy, and welcome.

Looks like the south is well represented here.

Grants Pass eh?
Got any good Sasquatch stories?
Howdy from Champooeg.

Machining is a great profession that includes a lot of self satisfaction as one of its rewards. Anything and everything (not made by God) has machinist(s) fingerprints all over it.

On the downside (and not trying to change your professional dreams), prepare yourself mentally and financially for possible employer layoffs, down sizings, plant closures, labor strikes, etc. These have been a way-of-life for me many times since the early 1970's. It seems like no employer, product line, job location, etc. is immune to any of these then or now.

In 1984 I opened my own machining job shop for a more stable form of job security. Little did I know then that personal health issues would eventually plague that income source too.

I've been experimenting with homemade carburizing compound. So far, I've had a little success.

If you are just packing it, leave out the sugar.. Differentially carburizing. - Bladesmith's Forum Board

The same store that sells Bon Ami sells 20 Mule Team Borax which is excellent flux.

Bon Ami, the cleanser found in many kitchens. It sounds like it could be a flux/reducing agent for smelting, melting and maybe welding.
The ingredients are simple. sodium carbonate, calcium carbonate and feldspar, with a bit of organic detergent.
I was wondering if you could heat it up to burn off the soap, and use it as described??
Thoughts?

I'm making crucibles. Don't ask. I'll let you know if it works. Thanks

Can't answer your question, but thanks for that link! Jerry

@Jerry: I don't live far from Newberg/Dundee (25 minutes). I'd be cool to see his operation. It's probably modern, but it would be useful nonetheless I'm sure.

@Niel: Robert was telling me about that. Its a bit of a long haul but it sounds interesting. We'll have to see.

There is Blade west in Portland, in September. Nice little show.
If you are studying cooperege, do you live near Newberg/Dundee? I have a friend and neighbor, who owns a winery, and I think he has a cooperege, but not sure. Got a nice flat bed of oak stave scraps a while back. Makes nice charcoal.

Cooper,
I also live about 15 miles from Brooks.
I might make it there Sunday. Jerry