Steve Shimanek Posted June 22, 2019 Share Posted June 22, 2019 I forged out a bent handle chisel from O1 stock, but had cracks at the point where the handle met the chisel body, which I gas welded with ER70s rod. The cracking continued to be a problem, but I thought i had it whipped until I was trying to rivet the end of the tang on the handle, and the whole handle fell off. i want to save the work I did; any advice on welding on a tang? I have gas, stick, and TIG equipment available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted June 22, 2019 Share Posted June 22, 2019 I would TIG weld it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted June 23, 2019 Share Posted June 23, 2019 The big issue is keeping it from air hardening and cracking again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Shimanek Posted June 23, 2019 Author Share Posted June 23, 2019 So maybe TIG weld on a mild steel handle after preheat, stick it in the forge, then into some vermiculite for a slow cool, then reharden the chisel tip? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted June 24, 2019 Share Posted June 24, 2019 Or start over, which one will be less time and more prone to work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 24, 2019 Share Posted June 24, 2019 I"m with Biggun, it'll be a lot less work and more likely to work starting over. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anvil Posted June 24, 2019 Share Posted June 24, 2019 it's never too soon to start a good scrap pile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Shimanek Posted June 24, 2019 Author Share Posted June 24, 2019 If I start over, the same thing could happen; plus all the labor i already put into it will be lost. or, I can see if my recent repair of my gas solenoid worked on the TIG unit, weld on a handle, and use the chisel to finish the shirasaya for the sword I am polishing......option B works for me. Scrap pile is pretty big already Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted June 24, 2019 Share Posted June 24, 2019 1 hour ago, Steve Shimanek said: finish the shirasaya Without pictures it didn't happen. When it's finished please post it in the knives section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Shimanek Posted June 25, 2019 Author Share Posted June 25, 2019 I guess it happened....first time in a good while i had the TIG attached to the welder. Tacked it up, then preheated with a MAPP torch, and finished welding it, then put it in the vermiculite bucket to slow cool. I didn't need to reheat treat the working portion, since it didn't get hot enough to change the temper. It even withstood the accidental drop test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 18 hours ago, Steve Shimanek said: If I start over, the same thing could happen; Yes it could, welding it could fail too. Can't live you life by letting what might happen make your decisions. Sure you need to be aware of failure conditions and take them into account but not trying because it MIGHT fail is a sad thing. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Shimanek Posted June 25, 2019 Author Share Posted June 25, 2019 Sure is, that's why I put on my xxxxxxxxxxxxx and welded it instead of hammering out a new one......as a disabled vet I need to make all my efforts count. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 It occurred to me some time after I couldn't edit my post the same thing goes for giving a shot at welding it up. It might not have worked but can't live dodging what might not work. Making it count is a better motto. Thanks for serving Steve. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Shimanek Posted June 26, 2019 Author Share Posted June 26, 2019 Exactly Frosty, if I tried and failed in the repair i would have had to make a new one anyway. As only the sacond chisel I have done, I have learned a few things by this evolution; O1 is hard stuff and doesn't yield easily. (Glenn has explained my social gaff as having failed to anticipate some theoretical parent's embarrassment in having to explain to a child what my phrase meant. I can live with learning new ways of social engagement.) Thank you for acknowledging my service; I was not an Army Ranger, I only spent 11 days trying to be one The jump did me in....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 8 hours ago, Steve Shimanek said: O1 is hard stuff and doesn't yield easily. Very true. It also can hot short and crumble if overheated, so don't let frustration lead you to work it too hot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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