metalworker77 Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 Can you forge Aluminum i.e. with a hammer and anvil? Is there any toxic gasses or anything that I should be worried about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie Zietman Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 aluminum melts at so low a temperature (I am not sure but I think around 1350 degrees F, not even red heat for iron/steel) that you'd be far better off casting it. A good site for that is backyardmetalcasting.com good luck! Archie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 Soft aluminum not the T-6 or other hard kinds can indeed be forged with forge and anvil. IUse common precautions such as not breathing either fumes from forging or from the forge. You have to play a bit to find the right temp to forge. Try this in a gasser put the piece in and count to 15 take it out and rub a hickory hammer handle on it..if it does not leave a mark go back in for ten count. If at any time the hammer handle leaves a dark browm mark really fast stop and let it cool. coutn to 20 and try the wood again should be a nice brown mark but not dark...then forge away..You can froge for quite a whiel before you need another heat for next heat put piece in and count to 10 check with handle etc.....have fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Thomas Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 Forging aluminum is very common in industry, and occasionally done by artist/blacksmiths. I have only played with it once in the forge, but it wasn't a big deal. Like everything else, you have to learn your material. Some links for this topic:http://www.artmetal.com/brambush/forum/bramyak2/messages/374.htmlAluminum ChartAluminum forgings from Scot ForgeForging non-ferrous metalsForging of Aluminum AlloysWendell August Forge's hand-hammered aluminum carries on 77-year tradition Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie Zietman Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 wow, I never knew it was actually forgeable! cool! You learn somethign new every day. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseff Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 Aluminum can be cold forged easily, there is usually no need to heat it. I am of course talking about plate aluminum. It will get brittle when over worked, but with a bit of care, you can do a lot with it. Joseff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Turner Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 I forge aluminum all the time I use the same methods as Rich Hale has described. If you take your eye off it for a second it will melt on you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian C. Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 Dad always said that in order to torch weld or forge aluminum, 1st you buy 3 pieces-because you will burn up the first two learning when to stop heating. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan Davis Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 There are three types of forging: open die forging, closed forging, and ring rolled forging. Open die forging is applicable for large aluminum components. They are only limited by size of aluminum. I have heard about many companies which are applicable for this procedure like CHW Forge, Bharat, forging and London and much more. They will help you to cut the aluminum from various procedures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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