The Jeff Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 I don't have enough experience to know one way or the other. If a peice of steel has cracks ( that you cant otherwise see) , will they show up when you etch it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 I would think they would show up with etching. You could also get a can of visible dye penetrant. It is a spray on and will show any cracks. Magnaflux is one such brand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jeff Posted July 20, 2023 Author Share Posted July 20, 2023 I have read about the dye, thanks for the suggestion. I etched a peice for a few minutes and it had a few darker lines runing through and wasn't sure if they were cracks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzzkill Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 It could be cracks or it could be other things as well. If the surface of the steel was brought to an even finish then it probably was cracks. If there were some deeper scratches from grinding or something else it could appear as cracks. This may be a good opportunity to learn a little. You can grind/sand (preferably perpendicular to the lines) where you see what looks like cracks until the darker lines you see disappear and then etch again. If they were just grinding lines or surface cracks then they probably will not show up again in the same location and orientation. If they are truly cracks then they will probably show up again where you saw them originally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jeff Posted July 20, 2023 Author Share Posted July 20, 2023 I had actually done that, I saw them sanded as you said and etched and showed up a little darker then the surronding steel. After another round of sanding and etching the marks are gone so i suppose deep grind marks or surface cracks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimw3326 Posted July 21, 2023 Share Posted July 21, 2023 Another way is to hang it between your fingers and tap it with a hammer. A ring is fine, a thunk, not so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anvil Posted July 21, 2023 Share Posted July 21, 2023 They will also show up when you heat your iron. Bring it up slowly and a crack will show up as a darker shadow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzzkill Posted July 21, 2023 Share Posted July 21, 2023 18 hours ago, The Jeff said: After another round of sanding and etching the marks are gone so i suppose deep grind marks or surface cracks? That would be my working assumption unless there was other evidence to change my mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 22, 2023 Share Posted July 22, 2023 A small bottle of DyeChem isn't expensive. Cracks can't hide from DyeChem. (or however it's actually spelled) Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted July 22, 2023 Share Posted July 22, 2023 Dykem lay out fluid is what we use. Works a treat... I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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