GNJC Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Hello all, I am considering producing some spring swages with interchangeable heads, not one-offs, so casting rather than machining is preferred. The swages I have seen (commercial ones) have been cast, but I’m not certain of the metal used. I have made / machined a couple of similar one-off things in tool steel, these work well. Following my experiences with swage blocks, SG iron seems like an obvious choice since it is very strong and casts well. But, is it appropriate? Can only tool steel be used for these? I've done a web search (on here too) but to no avail in answering this specific question. Thanks for advice offered. G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 I think you may be mistaken about spring swage heads being cast. The only massproduced spring swages I have seen were the ones made by Grant Sarver. He forged them in closed dies. A closed die forging can look a lot like a casting. I am sure they could be cast in steel but a sping swage takes a lot of punishment in use. You may not have as long of a life with a cast tool even when good steel is used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GNJC Posted January 23, 2012 Author Share Posted January 23, 2012 Thanks Timothy, the reason for my thinking they were cast was the presence of what looked like a seam or the remains of casting flash. I'll do a trial - well, myself and a friend will give a block of SG a lot of hammering - to see of it is up to the job. I have a strong feeling you re right, but if I don't ask / do a test, I shan't know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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