Hi folks, I got me an old 14" chainsaw chain and bought some 20 Mule Team Borax. I have looked at a lot of areas on the net on making a billet to hopefully turn into a knife blade. I do have a few questions if you dont mind answering.

1. When I tie or weld the chain, do I make one loop in the chain

2. Do I apply the borax before the first heat

3. How do I know when I do the fold.

4. Do I strike the billet flat or can I turn it on edge and strike the whole thing into a square billet.

Thanks-

You're gonna want to double it back and forth 'til you got a polish sausage sized bundle, then wire it up reel good so it's fairly rigid. You get it up to a pretty high heat, orangish to me then pull it out, brush it vigorously and apply the flux, then right back into the fire. You can "fold" when you've completely consolidated the material. If you fold it to early you'll still have voids in the billet and they'll get incorporated, or create a shear point. You can strike the edge, but you have to be careful to not shear the thing apart. You don't really need to fold a chain billet much. You're pattern is pretty much built in from the contrast between the pins, cutters, and rakers. I think the pins are different material than the cutters and rakers too. Good luck. You might want to start with a piece of cable-mascus first. I think cable is pretty easy to weld compared to chain.

Did you see this done somewhere? I would also think the different materials in the chain might be a problem, but then again it might help for all I know. let me know where you got the idea if you don't mind. thanks.

Thanks Mcraigl, I'll try that out.

Ariel Salaverria Custom Knives - Damascus Custom Knives - Knifemaking - Japanese San Mai Tanto - Blade
YouTube - Chainsaw Damascus Forging
Roller Chain 'Damascus'
Knife Network : Workshop - Forging chainsaw chain damascus

most chainsaw chains are made from a high cardon steel for the teeth of the chain. and a slightly lower carbon steel for the connector bits. it will make a decent blade. and the differntstee lprovide a good contrast.

Son

This link will show you another option that Billy Merritt uses. He hammers the chain into a donut then flattens it into a bar. I like to punch out a link and lay the chain in strips side by side with all the teeth facing the same way.Hammer it into a square rod then fold and flatten. Good luck.

PS. When you etch you need to use a high ferric chloride content etch to bring out all the color.

Thanks for the links and photos guys, I certainly apprieciate it. Great new ideas for me to try.

thanks for the links

I assume you would want to soak the chain to get any dirt and grease out of the joints? :confused:

yes soak it in vinager over night or acetone over night to make sure it's VERY clean

Son