MetalMuncher Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Hello fellow smiths, I need to know whether a leaf spring has sort of "expired". I found a really good one, the perfect width and perfect thickness. But...its all rusted out, I'm talking serious rust, its pretty full of dents too. Will peening solve it? Or smack it around some with a regular hammer? Thanks guys! Oh wait, hang on. Could I use a piece of car tire to make a scale handle knife? I mean they are pretty anti-slipping and will look pretty cool. Any ideas? Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mulciber Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Well, if there's really that much rust it won't be the thickness you are looking at once you finish getting the rust off. Unless the rust is extreme you can just throw it in the forge and the rust will come off with the scale. As for a car tire handle, if you can deal with the steel belting then it would probably work ok. You would probably be better off going and getting something like a pneumatic dolly tire and using that instead since it doesn't have any belt in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Unless the rust goes all the way through I think that you should be able to some use out of it. I have never tried to forge weld a leaf spring but that may be an option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetalMuncher Posted November 22, 2008 Author Share Posted November 22, 2008 Hey Mulciber, what is a dolly tire? I figured the belt would actually look pretty cool once it has been finished. Thanks man. Bentiron1946, I am no good at forge welding, but that is a good idea, but wont the dents fron rust form cold shuts? Thanks dude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Dolly tire is a hand truck tire or maybe a small cycle tire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Dolly tire is a hand truck tire or maybe a small cycle tire would work. They forge weld bike chains without any problem so I do think a few pits and dents will cause a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Mulholland - Tetnum Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 if they are rusted and it concerns ya just wet forge it that will blast the scale and other stuff off in the first heat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRobb Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 The rust shouldn't be a problem. But if it is in such bad shape, could there be any cracks? How about using part of a thick rubber mat? No belts to worry about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetalMuncher Posted November 23, 2008 Author Share Posted November 23, 2008 Sounds good. I'm giving up on the car tire idea and am going to use aluminium I bought for a scale handle. I've got my hands full, some chef wants two knives and is ready to pay, but wooden handles are not permitted because of germs. Thanks guys, much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trollhammer Posted November 24, 2008 Share Posted November 24, 2008 You could use Corian or one of the other brands of solid surface counter top material. I use that for anything I make that will come into contact with food. Its anti-microbial, and it doesn't crack or split. Its really easy to work with and you can get some pretty neet colours/patterns. It also goes together almost seamlessly with the epoxy stuff that comes with it. I build cabinets and countertops on the side, so I have a relatively endless supply of the stuff. If you want to pay for the shipping, I could ship you some. You might even be able to find a cabinet shop in your area that would let you dumpster dive for their scraps. Huge chunks of usable stuff get tossed on each project, cuz they're not big enough for a counter top. I hate waste! Mickey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted November 24, 2008 Share Posted November 24, 2008 Your biggest concern will be the possibility of metal fatigue and/or cracks in the used/rusty spring. Professional smiths over the years have said many times that they will make tooling for themselves out of used springs, but that they would not utilize used springs for anything that they make for a customer because of the liability of the knife or tool breaking. Unless you have an incredible insurance policy, you are not likely protected from liability on those knives breaking, especially if you use used spring/steel. In no way would I utilize used springs to make knives for sale, especially knifes that were going to be used hard by a chef! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetalMuncher Posted November 24, 2008 Author Share Posted November 24, 2008 Thanks guys, I dont want to use a leaf spring, but steel here is insanely expensive. Thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetalMuncher Posted November 24, 2008 Author Share Posted November 24, 2008 Thank you troll hammer. Corian.....sounds cool and readily available. Thanks for the info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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