Reading Creek Forger Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 I was recently offered discarded hydraulic ram shafts for use in blacksmithing. They range up to 3 inches in diameter and the length is described as long as you want up to several feet. Is this steel suitable for making hammers or other tools or maybe a small cone mandrel to use in a hardy hole. The metal is free so I will likely take it even if its too soft for a hammer then find a use for it later. I have been told it is chrome on the outside but softer in the center. Is this likely to be high carbon steel or mild? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarry Dog Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 I don't know about the quality of the steel, but I hear chromium poses a serious risk of heavy metal poisoning. I wish I had more details on it than that, but I'm sure someone else will pop in and fill in the blanks, I'd like to know the specific hazards myself. I imagine most people that would explain further are probably more qualified than Wikipedia, just by virtue of experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjh66 Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 The chrome is a problem to watch for. In general the material for chrome rod base material is 1045 or 4140. At lest is is here in Australia. If you have a lathe you could machine the chrome off, instead of grinding or burning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 So not a bad material for a cone mandrel---if you can get the chrome off in a SAFE manner. My general scrounging rule is "If it doesn't rust I doesn't want it!" with exceptions of course for stainless steels, Ti, precious metals,... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Gaddis Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 Just grind it off, but be safe about that...using good grinding practices. If you are afraid of the particals install a fan to help blow away the airborn stuff. DO not breath chrome or zinc in any form. Be glad you have a source of free material. Carry on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Turley Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 Sayings and Cornpone Where does steel wool come from? A hydraulic ram! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianc Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 Typically cylinder rod is 1045, with the first .060-.080 induction hardened. You will need a decent lathe to machine it off since your first pass needs to be deep enough to get under that hard layer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 A chrome shop may deplate the chrome for you since they can use it to plate another part with later. If not, a lathe works fine,and would probably be the fastest way. I would grab them too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alec.S Posted June 21, 2013 Share Posted June 21, 2013 1045 with a chrome plating is what spec sheets generally say :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reading Creek Forger Posted June 23, 2013 Author Share Posted June 23, 2013 Thanks to all of you, Get rid of the chrome seems to be the consensus so I will start there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted June 23, 2013 Share Posted June 23, 2013 I would NOT grind the chrome to remove it, use a lathe. Grinding puts chrome dust into the air and it settles onto surrounding materials to be picked up and made airborne again. Yes we sometimes go to the last decimal point in safety. But would you rather be safe or suffer the rest of your life? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reading Creek Forger Posted July 9, 2013 Author Share Posted July 9, 2013 Thanks Glen for reinforcing the idea of not grinding the chrome off. Grinding seems like an obvious hazard but not one I considered initially. Got some sample pieces home, next step is to have the chrome taken off with a lathe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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