August 9, 20169 yr 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!!!
August 9, 20169 yr 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!)
August 10, 20169 yr Author 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.
August 10, 20169 yr A lot of metal cutting bandsaw blades have high cobalt HSS teeth. Those may cause a forge welding issue.
August 10, 20169 yr 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
August 10, 20169 yr Author 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.
August 10, 20169 yr Send me a sample and I'll tell you if it's worth collecting or if it's just scrap.
August 10, 20169 yr Author 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.
August 10, 20169 yr Will you have it at Quad-State? Cut in 1 foot lengths it would make good selling material.
August 10, 20169 yr 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.
August 10, 20169 yr Author 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.
August 10, 20169 yr 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.
August 10, 20169 yr 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
August 10, 20169 yr 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.
August 10, 20169 yr Author 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.
August 10, 20169 yr It's where I usually buy special alloys for forging and sell ball peen hammer heads
August 10, 20169 yr 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...
August 10, 20169 yr Any plan for an IFI photo this year ? I just missed the last one by seconds....... Life is Good Dave
August 11, 20169 yr 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
October 28, 20169 yr 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.
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