Guns 71

I just got some powdered 1084 and some powdered nickel in and am going to try a canister. I’ve got some steel blast shot that I’m going to add the powders to and maybe some bearings or swarf just to try. My question is how much nickel do you guys add to the 1084? It’s not cheap and I don’t want to waste it. My other question is could I make layers of varying steel/nickel combos like those colored sand vases kids make at fairs, and get a similar efffect, or would it all blend together? Thanks

I used it today for the first time to make a tool for work. I needed to make a hook for ripping heavy duty rubber seams. I used one of the locator pins to form the hook and it worked awesome. I knocked one of the pins out and they are also tool steel so I think I’m going to use 2 of them as punches or something. Any ideas on what to do with 1”x6” tool steel pins? I didn’t mount the block to a base yet but with the two pins knocked out of the bottom I’ll have the one inch holes to work with. Next step is a gas forge. I like using coal but I haven’t taken the time to make a solid setup so I have to rebuild something pretty much every time. Thanks for the input guys

I stopped at the scrap yard today to see if I could find an anvil or piece of metal better than my one inch stainless plate on a stump. I found this injection die casting mold set that I believe is solid tool steel and weight about 150 pounds. I’m torn between just standing on end and using as is, or cutting it up and welding in a different orientation. I also grabbed a couple bars that I think were fork lift tines. I grabbed them figuring I could either use as a horn on the tool steel, or make a smaller horned anvil. Would I be better off cutting a slab of the tool steel and attaching to a mild base, or leaving it solid? The hammer is for size reference and is 8 lbs. I will mostly be making knives but I want to get into more traditional iron work, and any input and ideas as to what to do with these blocks will be greatly appreciated. Thanks