LeMarechal Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 Hi to all out there in the wide world... My swageblock has very worn edges around its square and round holes. I'm wondering if I could fix it by welding and grinding. Does anyone here got experiences with something similar? Greetings Sascha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 If it's made from steel, check for carbon content---spark test, and if higher C do a proper preheat and slow cool down. If it's made from cast iron, probably not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeMarechal Posted January 5, 2021 Author Share Posted January 5, 2021 Ok, will test it tomorrow. Should I use special welding rods or could I use normal mig welding to fill the craters and flakings? Greetings Sascha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latticino Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 Were swage blocks made from steel often? I've only ever seen cast iron (or modern ductile iron) ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 Maybe things were different in Germany. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeMarechal Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 1 hour ago, JHCC said: Maybe things were different in Germany. Maybe, maybe The only new swageblocks you can buy here are made from "special cast iron" that's what the dealer wrote on his website... When I found the block, it had very rusty surfaces and so I tried to grind the flat sides clean. That was a very horrible job. It was like grinding hardened steel, absolutely inefficient... Can't remeber how the sparks looked like. The only information about the german swageblocks I found is this "special cast iron" - statement Sounds like something like ductile... normaly if here is something made out of cast steel, they would tell it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 Try drilling a small hole in an inconspicuous spot. If it's any variety of cast iron, you'll get grey powder. If it's steel, you'll get spiral shavings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeMarechal Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 Ok... i will do some testings. Now its realy time to go to bed here. I'll post my test results Greetings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 What are you going to be using it for that you need sharp edges? Unless you've used it and it is not doing the work you need it to do, then why weld it? Have a picture you could post of how bad it is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeMarechal Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 (edited) Hi Daswulf, You're right I realy should make a photo. Comes tomorrow... Today I try to drill the block: No spirals, only grey crumbs and at the edge of the drilling no burrs. So Latticino is right, its a sort of grey cast iron. I think welding is not possible/to complicate... The only solution I could imagine is: milling off the upper 3/8"... "Sharp" is not the right term for what I want. I know the problems with sharp edges... But a little but more defined holes with slightly rounded edges would be nicer than what I have at moment... I will pick a photo tomorrow Thanks for now Edited January 6, 2021 by Mod30 Remove @name tag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 If you have access to a mill; could you just make some swages or bolster plates in steel? Maybe a bolster plate that would cover the side of your swageblock? With cast iron; once you mill it off you pretty much can't put it back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeMarechal Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 Yes that's an other idea. Don't touch the swageblock, and use it for rough work. If it must be perfect then use a custom made bolster plate with nice clean rounded edges... Thanks Thomas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeMarechal Posted January 17, 2021 Author Share Posted January 17, 2021 So it took me some time but finally here are the pictures as promised... hope you can see the chipped edges... The swageblock thickness is about 10cm a little bit less than 4 inches. If the milling idea comes up once more I would mill of 3/8" or so... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 It is pretty rough. I can see where that one could use milled. It's a cast swage block, not an anvil. It is Your tool and where others might disagree I say go for it but take the absolute minimum off as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeMarechal Posted January 18, 2021 Author Share Posted January 18, 2021 Hi Daswulf, I think so too... will look around where I can find someone near to me who wants to do this job. If I found someone I'll post some up to date pictures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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