Guest Johnnie Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 Hi, can anyone help? I've tried forging a bangle out of 8mm stainless round bar for the 1st time today and its not working! Not sure of the grade but the tapered scroll end fell apart and the twist just sheared off! Not a good start!! I am forging at a orange heat in a gas forge, but where am I going wrong??? Any help is greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbruce Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 If you're using OA for the twists don't get it so hot......Shearing and crumbling are what happens with too much heat........The alloy could be a factor as well.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWooldridge Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 Some grades of stainless are not friendly to forging. For example, 303 is easier to machine than 304 but 303 doesn't like to be forged due to the added sulfur. You need to know what grade you have before determining how to process it properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Yates Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 Knowing the Type of SS it is would help for the process of forging of it . as it is sounds as if you did not have it heated enough or might been to much a photo would be nice to see . Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOblacksmith0530 Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 I have had similar issues with mystery stainless. My best sucess has been never to go above orange and stop at high red and put it back in the fire. I have had sucess to a point. the smaller the dimension the harder to keep it hot enough to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Johnnie Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 Hello and thanks to you all for your replies. The SS I am using is 304 (just found the invoice) Personally I think I cooked it at it was soaking in the gas forge till orange heat. Will try again today using oxy Propane and fingers crossed!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptree Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 My experience with 300 SS is that you want a nice lemon yellow. The 18% chrome and 8% nickel make this material hot hard. When I forge 316/316L also an 18-8 alloy, I use a lemon heat and quit at red. We forged millions of pounds of 316SS at this temp in the valve and fitting forge shop. If you check you will also find that due to the high strenght at high temp you will need 30-50% more force to make the same movement as plain steel. 300 SS forged too cold will tear and crumble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptree Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Just checked the best reference in on the stainless steels, the Carpenter Blue book. Forging of 304 and 316 are both 2100F to 2300F and no forging below 1700F. Don't forget to anneal for best corrosion resistance after forging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Johnnie Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 Thanks Ptree, that has really helped a lot! Cheers buddy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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