I have a chance to buy some big bolts (about 1" diameter and 18" long) I don't know what grade they are. In general are bolts good for forging? Maybe hammers or chisels? I will not hold anyone responsible if they end up worthless. Are normal everyday bolts good?

First make sure that they are not galvanised or plated with something really nasty. Check the top of the head for markings, if there's nothing there they are probably M/S. Spark test them. Do you know what their original purpose was?.If you do there will be someone on here who will know what type of steel they are likely to be. Are the shanks long enough to be of any use?

First make sure that they are not galvanised or plated with something really nasty. Check the top of the head for markings, if there's nothing there they are probably M/S. Spark test them. Do you know what their original purpose was?.If you do there will be someone on here who will know what type of steel they are likely to be. Are the shanks long enough to be of any use?

there in an auction in about an hour. No body wants them but some scrap guys. They are black and nobody knows what they were for. It is a hardware building supply warehouse liquidation. There is a pallet stacked 2' high with them. I am not looking for definates just a general answer and kinda quick. Thanks for the help

The shanks are very long.

Thank goodness for iPhones

1 inch round is a nice size to work with. The only question would be the plating, if any. Sounds like they may be unplated, since they are black. If it were me, I'd take a chance and bid on them, but, I am an auction geek. Do you know what scrap prices are in your area? I'd go up to and a bit over that and not much more. They are at least mild steel, possibly a bit harder.
Good luck.

For SAE no marks is common, 3 marks is grade5 6 marks is grade8

common is low or no alloy, maybe mild steel.

grade5 are low or medium carbon quenched and tempered

grade8 are medium carbon alloy steel, quenched and tempered.

zinc can be electroplate, mechanical or hot dip. Hot dip is only used on common grade, mechanical plate is more common on higher grades, and can be colored anything under the rainbow.

Phil

I cut the threads off large bolts.
Heat the treaded portion and standing the bolt up on the hammer dies upset so the threads are closer togeter and the bolt is larger around.
If the diamater is too small or length too long it wants to fold instead of upsetting.
Once I get it to the thicknes I need a punch a tappered hole in the top for a candle.
Lots wonder what material you started out with until you tell them treaded rod

Thanks for the swift advise. It was for naght though. Somebody wanted them a lot more than me. He paid way more than scrap.

thanks,
Winston

Just a note. Most of what I get that is black is grade 8 SAE or Metric.
Ken

Metric bolts come in a variety of specs:

a few o' my links

http://www.americanfastener.com/technical/grade_markings_steel.asp

http://www.nutsandbolts.com/technical-info-bolt-grades-and-head-markings-c-43_266.html

http://www.unified-eng.com/scitech/bolt/boltmarks.html

I can't find my links on zinc plating methods though.
Enjoy
Phil