Binesman Posted September 30, 2017 Share Posted September 30, 2017 A friend brought me some scrap metal that has a goldenish bluish Hue to it almost looks like tempering colors when I put it in the forage and started heating it it formed a strange yellowish powder on the metal anyone have any idea what this is? And is this safe to use in the Forge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted September 30, 2017 Share Posted September 30, 2017 strange coatings are never good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meadowgrove Posted September 30, 2017 Share Posted September 30, 2017 Sounds like zinc residue. I'd not subject it to fire. Back when I didn't know danger I "cleaned" the zinc coating off some scrap ventilation duct pieces by burning. The smoke made me pretty nauseous and the scraps had formed some unsightly yellow powder on them. Few days later I read about Paw-Paw Wilson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Binesman Posted October 1, 2017 Author Share Posted October 1, 2017 Ill have to take some photos. The coloration didnt look like any galvanizing ive seen. So i figured id give it a try. As soon as the yellowish powder showes up i removed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 Cadmium? Zinc Chromate? stuff that make regular galvanization look *nice*! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 You might try soaking a piece in vinegar to see if the coating comes off. If it doesn't I would be leery of putting it in the fire without a good respirator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 If it's one of the nasties then any solution of it needs to be handled as toxic waste...I don't allow plated metals in my shop or scrap pile for possible forge use---got the shirt too! In Rust We Trust (Glenn sells them here....) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 Don't mess with mystery plating. Life is too short, and there's too much good scrap waiting to be used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Poet Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 Zinc isn't a huge problem otherwise literally thousands of welders would be dying like flies it's really only an issue if you have other lung issues that can be exacerbated like COPD, the metal fume fever isn't good either. The other stuff like beryllium, cadmium and lead are NOT on friendly terms with the human body and so you really don't want to be huffing the fumes those coating put off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Binesman Posted October 1, 2017 Author Share Posted October 1, 2017 Yeah after some research i found a Google referance stating that zinc will turn to a yellow powder when hot and turn white when cooled wich is exactly what this did. So tjat metals now trash not scrap. Ty for the quick replies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 Put it in the bin for the scrapyard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 Not knowing the size/shape & quantity of metal you have, I would use it for projects that don't require forging, cold bending (scrolls) riveting comes to mind or try and trade it at the scrapyard for something forge-able. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Binesman Posted October 3, 2017 Author Share Posted October 3, 2017 No trade the only scrapyard in my area shreds any steel as soon as they get it. As for size its about 1inch round and 4 feet long and he has access to lots. So disapointing that i cant use it. But safety first and second and third. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 If you get it free and the scrapyard will buy it, that's money you can spend on known steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Binesman Posted October 3, 2017 Author Share Posted October 3, 2017 They will but it at $50. Per ton. Its not realy worth the work to scrap it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 Oooh $50/tn! I can get $35 IF I haul it to Anchorage. I had to pay to have a pickup hauled to the crusher and they're less than 2 miles from here. I have to admit after crushing and hauling to Anch the $70-$80 they'll get is just over break even if they're hulling a side dump load of cubes. The real stinky part being the scrap yard has a single buyer contract and won't even let you look let alone buy anything. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 Reminds me of a coal mine I knew that had a total output contract with a foreign company; but ifn you were to show up around lunch time with a free will offering a terrible industrial accident might occur where a front end loader would accidentally fill the bed of your pickup---no paperwork as they wanted to hush up the accident...Local folks had been buying coal there for generations and everyone local was not happy with the deal the absentee owners had made ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalfgreen Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 So I have two old tables at my job that have steel table bases to hold them down as they are what industry calls high tops. They are both 3ft round not solid has a pattern like vine or something to create gaps. Is this steel worth taking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWISTEDWILLOW Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 If it’s free take any metal you can get! You can always use it for some project down the line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 I have several table bases that I use for various tool stands. If the base is not flat sheetmetal; it is most likely cast iron and can't be forged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalfgreen Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 I'm checking tomorrow my owner told me about them today on my way out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 15 minutes ago, Gandalfgreen said: my owner told me about them today Your OWNER? Do you have a pink slip? The bill of sale isn't signed in blood is it? I do so love a good typo, ask around. You might want to type a little slower or I might start having too much fun. You'd almost undoubtedly be in the good taking them home. If they turn out to be unusable or worse there's the dumpster option. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalfgreen Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 Frosty you noticed my horrible phone typing. Its something that I cant fix in my circle of friends they have learned my language and called it Wisethumbs say my thumbs have ther own minds. They all hate that they can read and understand some of the garbage I can send when really rambling. Have your fun with it we all do even I cant translate. Owner of the buisness I work at. Unless that wasnt a dream..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.J.Lampert Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 1 hour ago, Gandalfgreen said: my owner told me about them today 49 minutes ago, Gandalfgreen said: Owner of the buisness I work at. You mean they didn make you sign the contract saying that they are allowed to control your life and that work comes before al else??? your lucky M.J.Lampert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 GandalfGreen; perhaps you should review the 13th admendment of the US Constitution with your "Owner". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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