eyrian Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 So, I've read (from Hrisoulas) that pure nickel can create some wonderful contrast in pattern-welded billets. However, my local steel supplier doesn't carry any of it, and all the places I can find online seem to sell impure "nickel silver", or charge a lot more than the $5/kg price that it seems to be going for. Does anyone here use nickel? How much are you paying? Where do you get it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 You can use cast iron welding rods for contrast. I saw a friend drill hole through the billet, insert the "pins" in the holes the finish the billet. He use 1/8" rod, knocked the flux off, buffed the rod and cut the "pins" to the thickness of the billet. Very nice contrast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC712001 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Yes (as Thomas said) the welding rod for cast-iron is called "Ni-Rod." "Ni" as in "Nickel." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jose Gomez Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 You can get nickel sheet from Jantz Supplytexas knifemakers supplyOnlineMetals Or like was mentioned before Nickel welding rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arbalist Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Another way I read about involved having a number of small section steel bars Nickel plated then forge weld them together. If you have an electro plating company near you this could be an option? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyrian Posted November 11, 2008 Author Share Posted November 11, 2008 Jose, Unfortunately, Jantz and Texas Knifemaker's Supply only seem to carry nickel silver, which often contains zinc. I don't think you can weld that. Also, OnlineMetals seems to be charging something like $100/lb for their sheet; that seems rather high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jose Gomez Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 Give them a call, they often have some in stock. Or you can call Scheffield Knifemaking supply, they have this. NICKEL 201 SHEET 99% Nickel DESCRIPTION CAT. NO. PRICE CAT. NO 5+ PRICE 5+ .030 X 6-1/4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny onebun Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 thanks for the tips on where to get nickel sheet,i narrow vein mine the stuff 5000 feet underground in sudbury ont .can. and often think of using it in a project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dablacksmith Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 you dont have to use pure nickle to get the contrast .. l 6 or 15 n 20 steels work well and have enough nickle to give good contrast..they forge weld much nicer than pure nickle . good luck ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woody Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 15N20 and L-6 (bandsaw blade) both contain 2% Nickel and both will give good contrast in a damascus billet. They are almost identical in makeup except for the 15N20 contains a bit more moly I think. Anyway it's something that starts with an M and I am too lazy to look it up. Either one will do nicely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwilliams Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 I got my nickel last year from Admiral steel, a online steel store. Worked great for damascus. Although I now use 15n20. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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