HojPoj Posted August 30, 2018 Share Posted August 30, 2018 When looking for affordable bits of S7 and H13 materials for hotwork tools, there seems to be a greater availability of small rod pieces that are about 3" long, and sub-1" in diameter. If making smaller tooling whose business end isn't big, is there a way to put a larger shank on the tool steels and use them as though they were a monolithic tool? More to the point, if one could make a large shank (of 4140, for example) that could be shrunk-fit over a piece of tool steel, would such an arrangement hold up to occasional use? I'm not proposing that the tool steels be interchangeable, a proper shrink-fit would make it darn-near impossible to remove the inserted tool steel rod. I didn't bring up forge welding the pieces together since I've not seen any mentions of being able to do so with these series of steels (only really seen instances of adding a carbon steel cutting edge to implements like axes). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted August 30, 2018 Share Posted August 30, 2018 Sure it could be done but why not just make the whole tool out of 4140? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stash Posted August 30, 2018 Share Posted August 30, 2018 I don't see why it wouldn't work. I have stone chisels with tungsten carbide tips silver brazed onto a simple steel shaft. You could make it cheaper to use basic a36 for the shaft. Shrink fitting the good steel in the shaft should work, you could also hold it with a set screw or two to make it replaceable. Brazing would probably mess with the temper of the working end. Go for it, and let us know how it goes. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc1 Posted August 30, 2018 Share Posted August 30, 2018 That is how some commercial punches are made. I have a bunch of them and they are OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted August 31, 2018 Share Posted August 31, 2018 I've done it and haven't had a problem. It's a good way to use found roller bearings that are too short for hot work and can be ground to a nice shape. I'll often chuck a 1/2" bearing into the drill and then hold it against the bench grinder to make round-nose punches that are every bit as nice as could be turned in a lathe. Add some 1" mild steel and a handle.... and you've got a neat little tool that'll last for ages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HojPoj Posted August 31, 2018 Author Share Posted August 31, 2018 Excellent! Thanks for the confirmation everyone! Irondragon, I believe the majority of my stuff will likely to be made from coil springs or other less expensive alloys, it's just that if I need a tool that would significantly benefit from the heat toughness of one of the tool steels I wanted to be sure that such an arrangement would actually work out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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