Robg Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Hey guys! I finally successfully forge welded some billets. Chainsaw chain and bandsaw mixed with circular saw blades. I'm just wondering why the chainsaw chain came out a muddy mess. No distinct pattern. The blades had some pattern but really light patterning. How do you get the really nice dark etch? Both were soaked about 20 minutes. This is my first time etching so I'm sure it's probably operator error too lol. I did not harden either one of these or take them to a mirror finish either. I just wanted to take a peek lol. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 soaked in what? also we have no idea what your saw blades were made from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robg Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 Sorry Steve, soaked in ferric chloride and unfortunately I have no idea of the alloys. I know they were wood cutting blades and that's about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 to get the highest contrast start with a high Nickel alloy and a high Manganese alloy, unknown metals are a crap shoot as has been said many time before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 How strong was the ferric chloride solution? Stronger solutions can give worse results as you are looking for differentiation and stronger solutions eat everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robg Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 Thanks Steve. Thomas it is 43% and I didn't dilute it. Should I have diluted it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 I think it would've come out nicer with a longer soak in weaker solution. That billet looks like it has cracks if so it might be the perfect one to cut into test coupons and etch a number in different etchants to find which works best on THAT billet. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robg Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 Yes it's definitely a test piece frosty. I think it's the edges of my flatter because I just recently figured out to round the edges of the flatter. This is my first weld and etching so kind of happy with the results even though it's horrible lol. I'll figure it out. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robg Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 Ok here's what I got after the ferric chloride and then in coffee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 Nope, nothing horrible about it. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyO Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 11 hours ago, Robg said: I'm just wondering why the chainsaw chain came out a muddy mess. No distinct pattern. The blades had some pattern but really light patterning. How do you get the really nice dark etch? Both were soaked about 20 minutes. This is my first time etching so I'm sure it's probably operator error too lol. I did not harden either one of these or take them to a mirror finish either. I just wanted to take a peek lol. Thanks I'm not sure what you mean by 'muddy mess', but if you're referring to the fact that it doesn't look like a chainsaw, that's due to the all the squishing around from forging. If you're referring to the pattern not being very dark, there are a couple possibilities (and I'd says it's a combination of all of them). First, the chainsaw chain's links are probably not very high carbon content, even might be mild steel. This is probably the main reason. Second if you only soaked it in the coffee for 20 minutes, that's not long enough. I've left mine in the coffee for 24 hrs without any difficulties other than a bit more to clean off the steel with the nickle content. Third, because there isn't many layers, you won't get much topography with the acid etch, so when you clean/polish the blade, unless you are extremely careful to clean only the 15N20, you can't help removing some of the etch/coffee. 6 hours ago, Frosty said: I think it would've come out nicer with a longer soak in weaker solution. I'll correct this by saying stronger solution. The coffee won't do any damage to the blade, and actually, doesn't etch for all practical purposes, only darkens the carbon steel. The coffee solution that I use is 1/2 lb of the cheapest instant coffee I could fine to 1/3 gal water. (I read somewhere that someone was going to do a test with different types of coffee, but haven't seen any results.) I've also found that the more I use it, the darker it etches. I'm not saying the above responses are wrong (well, except for that part of Frosty's) because remember, if you ask 10 blacksmiths how to do something, you'll get 12 different answers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robg Posted January 26, 2019 Author Share Posted January 26, 2019 Thanks for the help billy! The "muddy mess" I was referring to was the chain which I didn't post a picture of because I laid my billet down and couldn't find it lol but I did and I'll post a picture of it here. The pictures that you were looking at is the bandsaw and circular saw blades. They were in FC for 20 minutes and then in almost boiling coffee for 10 minutes. I believe you may be right about the chainsaw chain not having enough high carbon content. It makes sense. Here is the picture of the chainsaw chain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyO Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 Is that sanded/polished or still rough forged? You'll possibly (probably) be able to see the chain better after finishing. Welcome to the obsession of pattern welding....and have fun. as always peace and love billyO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robg Posted January 26, 2019 Author Share Posted January 26, 2019 Yes it is rough out of the forge. I sanded on it a little and you can see the chain in it now. It is very addictive to say the least lol. I'm learning through trial and error. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyO Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 7 hours ago, Robg said: I'm learning through trial and error. This might not be the most economical way to learn, but IMHO, as long as you're paying attention, the best way. If just starting out, I'd recommend joining any 'local' blacksmiths organizations. A great way to meet close smiths, get invited to their shops, and learn. as always peace and love billyO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jclonts82 Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 14 hours ago, Robg said: I laid my billet down and couldn't find it lol glad to hear I'm not the only one! just recently found a knife I had been working on, 4 months earlier, because I set it down somewhere and 'lost' it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 We should start a support group. Happens to me as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 I spent fifteen minutes this morning looking for a piece of pipe that was sitting on top of my anvil, right where I’d left it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted January 27, 2019 Share Posted January 27, 2019 This morning my wife took the cap off of a sharpie pen and dropped it. It instantly went into the black hole that surrounds our place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JacobMason Posted February 3, 2019 Share Posted February 3, 2019 (edited) Can anyone recommend me the best product from the list mentioned in this site [Commercial link removed] Edited February 3, 2019 by Mod34 Commercial link removed per TOS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted February 3, 2019 Share Posted February 3, 2019 not having any list to choose from, or even a country, I would have to answer NO we can not since we have no idea what you are talking about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eutrophicated1 Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 I know of several support groups for absent minded smiths. I forget where they are though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JacobMason Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 On 2/3/2019 at 3:18 AM, JacobMason said: personally I like 2nd one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 I dont know what he is drinking, but I am glad he isnt driving Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillinomics Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 I find that doing at least a 6+ hour soak in a coffee etch is ideal. I usually return to clean the blade off with isopropyl every hour or so helps achieve a nice dark, even etch. The patina from working with it afterwards looks really cool too, the etch stays put with no problems. As others have said carbon content may be a factor, but your welds in the final blade look like they held up nicely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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