stickermigtigger Posted July 30, 2023 Share Posted July 30, 2023 I run across a lot of old air hammer chisels and they're usually pretty cheap. Google gives some examples of types of steel in them: chromium molybdenum, s-grade tool steels, and others. I don't see any threads on forums though of people repurposing them in a blacksmith shop. Are any of you using them as a steel stock; what are you making with them; what treatment processes are you employing; etc.?? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swedefiddle Posted July 30, 2023 Share Posted July 30, 2023 Good Morning, Welcome from the left coast. The problem with your question is, which chisels? A lot of 1 1/8" breaker bits are 1045 to 1060 steel. Rivet Buster and Demolition Hammer bits are not. Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stickermigtigger Posted July 30, 2023 Author Share Posted July 30, 2023 Yeah, I'm no authority on jack hammers and their chisels so I can't ask the question in that detail. They pretty much all look about the same to me. 1 1/8" suggests "jack" hammer. I've been looking at the smaller chisels one might buy at Lowe's for a small to medium contractors air hammer. Here's an example (or smaller). I'm not looking at 'specialty' equipment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shainarue Posted July 30, 2023 Share Posted July 30, 2023 Glenn Horr was a demonstrator at the Missouri blacksmithing conference this year. He had reshaped pneumatic air tool bits into various punches and fullers. He still used them in the air gun. Made quick work of animal faces! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stickermigtigger Posted July 30, 2023 Author Share Posted July 30, 2023 Looks like a few videos on Glenn Horr on YouTube. I'll watch and see if he mentions anything about this. Thanks for the tip Shainarue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anvil Posted July 30, 2023 Share Posted July 30, 2023 Russ Sweider decades ago did the same. Repurposed them for animal heads and sculpting. He had a cool demo doing a dragon head in one heat out of 2" square stock. Scales, eyes, etc,, the whole deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stickermigtigger Posted July 30, 2023 Author Share Posted July 30, 2023 The Horr video was interesting. Definitely 180 degrees from where I was taking this but glad to find a new technique. I have that type of hammer; just never thought to use it forging. :-) My question focus is what is the 'steel' used to make those chisels good for repurposed to for other uses like chisels, punches, cutoffs, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 30, 2023 Share Posted July 30, 2023 The vast majority are a medium carbon moderate alloy. The S-7 bits are rare and usually intended for cutting or breaking very hard materials say HC steel. To know for sure what you had you'd probably have to buy new as specified from the manufacturer. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted July 31, 2023 Share Posted July 31, 2023 I made an adapter to hold chisels with that kind of shank in my fly press, so that I can do all manner of decorative chiseling and punching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anvil Posted July 31, 2023 Share Posted July 31, 2023 Cool idea! Sweider just modified the working end, then used his air hammer to do the work. Power rules either way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted July 31, 2023 Share Posted July 31, 2023 I think it was Glen Horr who demonstrated this technique at Quad-State a few years back. Whoever it was, I dozed off during the demo (combination of sleep disorder, full belly from lunch, and sitting in the warmth of the forge) until the rattle of the air hammer startled me awake. That was embarrassing.... 21 hours ago, stickermigtigger said: My question focus is what is the 'steel' used to make those chisels good for repurposed to for other uses like chisels, punches, cutoffs, etc. Generally, it's better to select the steel to match the job than it is to find a job to use the steel. In other words, rather than saying, "What can I make with this?", ask yourself, "I want to make X; what steel do I have or can get that would be appropriate for X?" Picking something whose current use indicates the properties -- in this case, toughness and shock resistance -- that are close to your intended use will rarely steer you wrong. Just keep in mind that used steels that have been subjected to load may no longer be entirely structurally sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 31, 2023 Share Posted July 31, 2023 I believe Albert Paley did some forging with a jack hammer and modified bits. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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