Mervmaster Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 Hey guys, I work in an industrial forge shop. There are tons of scraps laying around, so practice material is no issue. We also use several enormous bandsaws, from which the used blades are also freely available. My question to you is this: is it tool steel? has anyone used bandsaw steel, laminated or otherwise, for cutting edges or other tool steel related applications? Thanks in advance!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 It depends; if it's a bimetallic blade it might not be "tool steel" for most of the blade. It might be similar to L6 it might be a dozen other alloys---Hey I have a car; is it a Ford???? I use a lot of bandsaw blade for laminating with pallet strapping and I test both components *first* by heating and quenching in water and breaking. If both break with little force needed I know that they will make a cutting edge---as long as I don't decarburize them too much during the forge welding. (folding and welding LOWERS the carbon content generally!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervmaster Posted August 10, 2016 Author Share Posted August 10, 2016 18 minutes ago, ThomasPowers said: It depends; if it's a bimetallic blade it might not be "tool steel" for most of the blade. It might be similar to L6 it might be a dozen other alloys---Hey I have a car; is it a Ford???? I use a lot of bandsaw blade for laminating with pallet strapping and I test both components *first* by heating and quenching in water and breaking. If both break with little force needed I know that they will make a cutting edge---as long as I don't decarburize them too much during the forge welding. (folding and welding LOWERS the carbon content generally!) That's good info thanks, I'll cook some up and just see what happens. I have access to hundreds of linear feet of this stuff, it would be a fantastic resource if it heat treats well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 A lot of metal cutting bandsaw blades have high cobalt HSS teeth. Those may cause a forge welding issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 I generally cut mine using a pair of bull dog tinsnips---short jaws and rated for "alloy steel" I cut from the softer back and let the harder front---tooth edge break off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervmaster Posted August 10, 2016 Author Share Posted August 10, 2016 24 minutes ago, BIGGUNDOCTOR said: A lot of metal cutting bandsaw blades have high cobalt HSS teeth. Those may cause a forge welding issue. Yeah my thinking was that I'd remove the tooth section of the blade, and try the spine. These things are like 4 inches wide 1/16 thick and 16 feet long. I'll be darned if they don't kill three of them per day. Limitless steel. I hope it's worth using. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Cochran Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 Send me a sample and I'll tell you if it's worth collecting or if it's just scrap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervmaster Posted August 10, 2016 Author Share Posted August 10, 2016 Just now, Michael Cochran said: Send me a sample and I'll tell you if it's worth collecting or if it's just scrap. I will if you'd like, all I gotta do is chop it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 Will you have it at Quad-State? Cut in 1 foot lengths it would make good selling material. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Cochran Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 I never complain about free steel. You can send me whatever you feel like boxing up and I'll let you know what I figure out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervmaster Posted August 10, 2016 Author Share Posted August 10, 2016 4 minutes ago, ThomasPowers said: Will you have it at Quad-State? Cut in 1 foot lengths it would make good selling material. Probably showing my ignorance here but I don't know what you mean by quad state. 4 minutes ago, Michael Cochran said: I never complain about free steel. You can send me whatever you feel like boxing up and I'll let you know what I figure out. Pm me an address and I'll send you a slice when I'm done moving to my new place. Right in the middle of a home purchase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Cochran Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 Done. Quad state is a dream trip for me. My understanding is a large blacksmith gathering buying/selling/trading tools and materials. I'm thinking it in the 'midwestern' part of the US but I can't say for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 Quad-State Blacksmiths Round-Up, last full weekend in September in Troy Ohio, USA; largest annual Blacksmithing conference in the USA if not the world and full of people selling or trading stuff as once you've paid entry anyone can sell as well as attend the multiple demo's going on I'm driving about 1500 (each way!) miles to attend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave51B Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 2 1/2 hours from me........see ya there. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 Troy Ohio just north of Dayton. 1000 blacksmiths, 100+ tailgate sales. Some of them from actual tailgates, some from triple axle trailers loaded with goodies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervmaster Posted August 10, 2016 Author Share Posted August 10, 2016 3 minutes ago, ThomasPowers said: Quad-State Blacksmiths Round-Up, last full weekend in September in Troy Ohio, USA; largest annual Blacksmithing conference in the USA if not the world and full of people selling or trading stuff as once you've paid entry anyone can sell as well as attend the multiple demo's going on I'm driving about 1500 (each way!) miles to attend Wow nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 It's where I usually buy special alloys for forging and sell ball peen hammer heads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SReynolds Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 Thomas; how would I know it is you ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 shapeless red felt hat with horns and on Friday, weather permitting, lederhosen and an aloha shirt...other than that Glasses, middle aged, portly, bearded---just doesn't narrow it down much Oh Yes during the official event my Nametag saying Thomas Powers is a dead giveaway... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave51B Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 Any plan for an IFI photo this year ? I just missed the last one by seconds....... Life is Good Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anachronist58 Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 PM sent. I have about a hundred pounds of .040" x ~1.1" bi-metal, for sawing up to and including superalloys. Very handy stuff. It is great for limited travel springs, fixturing shims, and use your imagination. There is a local company here that has used Pacific Northwest lumber mill blade to to produce knives via stock removal only. Robert Taylor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arftist Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 On 8/9/2016 at 8:53 PM, ThomasPowers said: I generally cut mine using a pair of bull dog tinsnips---short jaws and rated for "alloy steel" I cut from the softer back and let the harder front---tooth edge break off Folded flat most bandsaw blades snap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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