kato_159 Posted September 19, 2016 Share Posted September 19, 2016 I just finished changing the cams out in my motorcycle with a ton guidance from my father in law. I'd like to use the camshafts to make knives for the both of us if the steel is any good. Anyone know if the steel from a Harley camshaft is any good for knife making? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted September 19, 2016 Share Posted September 19, 2016 how will you remove the moly plating? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted September 19, 2016 Share Posted September 19, 2016 3 hours ago, Steve Sells said: how will you remove the moly plating? Would you need to if you folded and welded a billet? Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted September 19, 2016 Share Posted September 19, 2016 He has apparently had trouble forging this else why is he posting ? moly being fairly hard even at 3,000 F would be the first culprate I would investigate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo7 Posted September 19, 2016 Share Posted September 19, 2016 Would the fumes from this "moly" be not good for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kato_159 Posted September 19, 2016 Author Share Posted September 19, 2016 The only thing I've done with the cams is remove them from the bike. I asked if the steel will make a good knife. It seems the moly plating will give me trouble. Can I remove it with a grinder before I forge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo7 Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 You could but IMO really not worth the risks or the trouble mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 A cam is funky shape to start with, and many cams are cast then ground to shape. Others have oil holes running through them. I would use them more for a sculpture piece than a knife. To test it, just take one, or a slice off of one , heat to bright red and quench in water...did it get hard? If so, how hard? But, if it was me, I would look at something else to do with them. Make a knife out of the old timing chain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sawdustnsteel Posted June 18, 2024 Share Posted June 18, 2024 (edited) I’ve made a good many knives from cam shafts. I soak them in kerosene for a few days after welding a rebar shank to them. Forge press them a weld temps and if the lobes aren’t forming cleanly into the billet. Set it aside to cool and grind the lobe edges off to heat and go again. they’re a tough steel and typically can get 54 RC. Not super hard but far better than stupid railroad spikes and a xxxx of a lot cooler. Edited June 19, 2024 by Mod30 Language Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Special Posted June 19, 2024 Share Posted June 19, 2024 Good evening, the safety data sheet seems to suggest that moderate amounts fumes or dust from molybednium disulfide act as a respiratory irritant, and in large amounts may cause fluid in the lungs, although I'm not sure how much it takes to be dangerous. It looks like a lot, but... If you find a way to remove the coating and are making a test coupon as suggested above (i.e. cutting off a small piece for quench testing) I would suggest starting at the least aggressive quench and moving in progression to the most aggressive - air, oil, water, brine, super quench to see which hardens it to the appropriate level. I've never tried camshafts - never occurred to me with all the lobes. While there's a definite cool factor, it's usually easier to use something closer to the final desired shape. Melted the occasional aluminum part though and forged a few Chrysler intake valves into hooks and the like. The usual caveat there is watch out for sodium filled valves as they do ugly things when heated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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