[TheForge] h13 for chisels

[Dave Brown]

I think the deciding factor would be how much one actually uses their power 
hammer.  In looking around on the web I see that a lot of production dies 
for a variety of things are made of H13.  These, I guess, are dies that are 
in constant use through a production shift, or several shifts  For hot work 
this is probably where H13 excels.  For the part-time, small shop 
blacksmith whose power hammer gets infrequent to moderate use I'd say that 
H13 is probably overkill, especially when you think about all those spring 
fullers, swages, and small dies out there that have been made from mild 
steel and are still doing the jobs that they were designed to do.

For most of us H13 is probably best used for chisels and punches, 
etc.  4340 is what I'd consider as about the best overall, but I won't be 
remaking my mild steel ball swage anytime soon.  For others of us in this 
group 4340 might be the starting point and mild steel for dies and swages 
would be out of the question.  This especially so if we have visions of 
going really big-time and opening a production shop, then maybe H13 is the 
way to go.  In my book it's more a question of volume and frequency of use 
than it is "what's the best in any condition".

Dave

At 21:18 03/25/02 -0800, you wrote:

>Steve Smith wrote:
>
> > Unless you don't mind the expense (or have an excellent source of 
> scrap!), I
> > would call H13 a waste for power hammer dies.