Steve Anderson

Hi All: My name is Steve, and I am a wannabe blacksmith.

Status
I am sorry to have missed the meeting opportunity today. I was committed to another activity for my daughter. 

Hope
I hope to have the opportunity to get together with one or more of you that would show me what you have done to set up there workspace, and share a bit of what you have learned in the process. 

I have been doing a good deal of reading, but I want to meet real people with actual gear that can be talked about and demonstrated--before I make serious financial and/or safety mistakes (that I am not lucky enough to get away with unharmed). 

So Far
I have been using an oxyacetylene torch for a heat source and mostly practicing basic welding and also making jewelry (using hard solder, cold forging, form folding, etc).

Knife Like Object
I made a knife like object earlier this week. The point was to do some additional experimenting with high carbon steel. The result was that the object did hold and edge--i can scrape/carve shavings off used brass cartridge casings. But i was most happy to have it show some toughness.

I have thrown it against my garage floor, thrown it high into the air for it to fall on the sidewalk and street, thrown it to stick into a wood (pine) block, and the the result was only some dings.

Procedure for above item (abbreviated)
I purchased O-1 tool steel. Cut the shape out with an angle grinder (1/8 in x 1 in x 8 in ), Filed it by hand, heated the blade-end to 'dull-to-bright' red (in a dimmed garage) and quenched it in a quart of new motor oil. I cleaned it up and put it in our oven (set at 425 deg F) for one hour, and let it cool in the oven overnight. Added a bit of pink paracord as a wrapped handle (the handle is probably 1/2 in too short).

Best Wishes!