Chris C Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 Hope I've chosen the correct forum for this quote. (hate getting scolded by moderators) I think I've found a source for axles from 18-Wheelers. Those should make nice hammer heads, flatters, hardie tools, top and bottom tools, etc., shouldn't they? Anyone know what the material in those is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 Didn't want to dig it out again so I did a search on axle alloys site:iforgeiron.com and found it: "A smith I know used to work in an axle plant and he has said that recently made axles are generally 1050H for smaller ones and 1541H for larger ones. (with 1 3/8" unforged diameter being the line of demarcation and 1 3/8 being on the 1050H side)" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris C Posted June 3, 2020 Author Share Posted June 3, 2020 Hmmmmmm. Interesting, Thomas, thanks. The fellow said he gets them all the time and he'd call me next time he has some. When I asked the size, he held up his fist and the circle he indicated was about 2 to 2 1/4" in diameter. I'll check into data for both of those steels. Would I be correct in assuming those two materials would make a good choice for the type tools I mentioned? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 I've been using a probable 1050 hardy for about 20 years now and it's worked well. They should work for the type of tools you mentioned. I like high alloy steels like S-7 and H-13 for tooling that gets buried in red hot steel like punches and chisels, especially slitting chisels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris C Posted June 3, 2020 Author Share Posted June 3, 2020 Thanks, Thomas. That's enough recommendation for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Edgar Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 I am having trouble putting this up as a separate topic, so I will put it here in case . do hydraulic rams make acceptable tools? Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 Have you done a search on the forum for older discussions? Just go to the search engine of your choice, type in your search terms, and include "iforgeiron.com" as one of them, you'll get some good answers. With hydraulic rams, remember that many of them are chrome plated, and chrome should NEVER go in the forge. Serious health hazard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 Also are you assuming that all rams made all across the world; by all the different manufacturers, for all types of loads; for the last hundred years; are the same alloy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 Better to find something other than hydraulic rams for stock, they are chrome plated. Chrome can be a serious breath hazard, ground or heated in a forge. Heated makes hexavalent chrome which is a carcinogen in the purest sense. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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