Tyler2045 Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 I have about 30 pounds of used tiller tines. These were bolt on tiller tines. They are about 1/8 inch thick on the back side. Does any one know if they will be good for knifes. I do not know how to tell the carbon content and I don't have an advanced shop. Please help me. Thanks Tyler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 Most tines were made from a spring steel to allow them to flex without snapping off, so I would say they shold be OK for making blades and other tools from. As a general rule of thumb, think what the original application for the item you are considering to use, then that should give a good indication of what you can reuse it for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 Heat one up to non-magnetic and quench in water. Did it crack in quench? => high C; if not: Then WEARING PROPER SAFETY GEAR try to break it with a hammer---I generally either set it in a post vise or use the step on the anvil and tap it gently increasing force until it breaks or bends. How much force used is INVERSELY proportional to carbon content. Another method is to grind it and check the spark spray---every welding text I have ever read had a spark/carbon chart in it. Don't have a grinder? Perhaps you are not ready to make knives... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 Just to add a little to Thomas's post, please also wrap a cloth around the tool before hitting it, I think most of us do, but it becomes automatic, and it sometimes gets forgotten when passing on information Having been nailed once by an accidental damage job, I try to eliminate possibilities from the intended ones, and the flying bits tend not to always home in on the safety gear being worn Stay safe, and good luck on your forging journey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler2045 Posted February 19, 2010 Author Share Posted February 19, 2010 I heated one to a cheery red and quenched it did not crack made the water boil though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 And the results of the percussive test? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler2045 Posted February 19, 2010 Author Share Posted February 19, 2010 Have not tried breaking one yet plan on doing that tomorrow. My grinder is still in Missouri at my parents. Also the tines have 70 ER stamped in them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Remember you want to try smacking the same one you quenched; and wear safety equipment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler2045 Posted February 20, 2010 Author Share Posted February 20, 2010 I could not break it or bend it. I did put it to a grinder and I got really fuzzy sparks. I have used this grinder a lot on lawn mower blades and some weldable steel and this is the fuzzyies spark I have seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spark_testing I'm sure someone has a link to a set of color photographs, but this is rather helpful. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler2045 Posted February 20, 2010 Author Share Posted February 20, 2010 Looking at this I believe it is high carbon or at least higher carbon mild steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Tyler; you tried breaking or bending the part of the tine you had heated to non-magnetic and then quickly quenched in water right? The tines as they are are tempered tough! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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