Peppie Posted November 21, 2018 Share Posted November 21, 2018 I have a source for 3" thick structual steel.I also have a source to mill it. Am I wasteing my time, money, and energy trying to fasion a simple swage tool out of it, if I have no means to heat treat it.? Peppie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted November 21, 2018 Share Posted November 21, 2018 Since most structural steel is fairly low carbon and so not able to be heat treated for hardness and wear life; then no. (Most structural steel is made so it can be arc welded and so they don't want any issues with HAZ cracking.) Super quench might help a bit; but at those sizes... Now most swageblocks were simple cast iron; so even mild steel swages should be a step up. It really depends on how you plan to use it---300 times a day calls for a higher alloy steel than once a month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peppie Posted November 21, 2018 Author Share Posted November 21, 2018 It will used on a very limited basis. Maybe a couple hours a month at best. This is a hobby for me. Cant justify big bucks for old cast one. It will only have 1/2 rounds on one edge. And a few different angles on the other edge. I have striking plate for the round and square holes that would be in the face side of a swage. Thanks for the reply Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted November 21, 2018 Share Posted November 21, 2018 You can make many specialty swage shapes that can be welded to a hardy post and used in the hardie hole. V shaped swages can be made from angle iron, half round swages made from pipe cut in half long ways, etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted November 21, 2018 Share Posted November 21, 2018 Should work fine especially if you leave enough room to dress it. Of course over time the 1/2" half round may end up the 5/8" one and etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted December 25, 2018 Share Posted December 25, 2018 A swage if used properly with hot metal will last for 10 or 15 years or more made from mild steel.. Will it wear, sure surface erosion.. But by then you heat it up, and smack it down again with a flatter and your back in business.. Quality tooling comes in all shapes, sizes, materials, etc, etc.. structural steel (A36)will take a little hardness over 1018 but 1018 taken from a white heat plunged into water and swirled like the dickens will be slightly harder than non quenched 1018 HR steel.. Also, carbonizing or using a product to add surface hardeness can be used if it really is a problem.. I have swages that are faced with HC steel and I have solid steel swages, I also have wrought iron swages.. It really comes down to what time and materials do you have or want to invest.. 3" is some serous metal to move or forge.. We are talking serious 2 people power or power hammer.. 2" or 2.5" is about as large as I want to work with a hand hammer.. After that it's sledge worker or power hammer or hydraulic forging press.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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