Yoyoronnie

JHCC, the 2300F is for melting the stainless steel correct? With the Mosaic Damascus, the needles would not necessarily have to be melted, they could hold there shape as a pattern, correct? I think I have given up on the idea of reforming the stainless steel in a home forge, but I seem some great potential with the canister method.

Smoggy, I would likely have to document how I have recycled the waste--right now, I prepay recycling with my biohaz containers so when they are full I ship them back and they send me a receipt of receiving.

Thank you Thomas and JHCC, I updated my location--the video you sent was perfect, I am going to watch more of this. You guys have given me some great ideas on how I can move forward--I really appreciate it!!

Wow, thank you for all the great responses. Thomas, I really like the idea of the Mosaic Damascus, I think some really interesting things could be done with that! Do you think working with the powdered high carbon steel is something I could work with at a home forge? (After getting some training that is.) To answer wpearson and BiggunDoctor, I go through maybe 5-10 pounds of needles a month, and I use .20x30mm and .18x15mm surgical stainless steel needles almost exclusivley...there are a few cases of needles that have plastic handles, but not many. Steve, thank you and I am not so much concerned about the landfills, because I bellieve the needles are being recycled and the metal used for something. I would just love to do something creative and save the cost of recycling to boot. Thanks again for the great feedback!! To piggy back on my first question--any thoughts on getting some experience/training? I really like the idea of making a home forge/kiln--leaning a new hobby.

Thanks Glenn, I appreciate your response...in regards to sterilization, I really don't want to put the idea out there that I want to sterilize to reuse as needles. I want to actually find a way to repurpose the metal...to change it and use it in same way that would prevent the waste and maybe make some sort of art piece with it. I was hoping for ideas in how I could melt or change this material. Do you think it would even be worth the trouble? I mean right now I have to buy the needle and then pay to dispose of them...looking for a better way.

Hello, I am an acupuncturist who goes through a good quantity of surgical stainless steel needles, likely 316 or 304? Currently I have to send these needles as biohazard material to a certified waste disposal company. I am looking for ideas on how I could possibly repurpose this material for potential art projects. I understand that SS is difficult to melt, so casting may not be an option. I also understand that any use of this material would have to include sterilization because of the biohazard nature of the waste. My initial thought was that melting the needle would take care of that aspect, but the more I read about SS, melting does not seem like a great option. I would appreciate any idea that you may have. I kind of tripped into this forum, so maybe I am not in the right place. I also have zero experience with metal work, so I do ask for patience. Thank you so much.