[TheForge] Re:forging aluminum

[Bruce Freeman]

Aluminum can be forged very nicely, but be aware of a few things:
1) It conducts heat like mad.  Tongs are essential.
2) It's forging temperature is below a visible heat.  Use a piece of wood =
(pine, or what have you) as a "crayon" =AF when it marks black, the metal =
is hot enough.  To hot, you'll crumble the piece =AF or melt it!

Any two different metals brought into imtimate (electrical) contact can =
galvanically corrode when wet.  This is usually a problem only if the =
metals are significantly different.  E.g., steel and cast iron can be =
considered the same metal.  Aluminum forms a highly protective surface =
oxide, so may NOT be a problem, despite its very high activity.  To be on =
the safe side, don't let metals touch (make electrical contact) if they're =
likely to be in a wet environment.  For example, join all alluminum parts =
together with aluminum rivets or screws.  Where aluminum is to be joined =
to steel or bronze, drill and oversized hole and put a sleeve around the =
steel or bronze screw. =20

Bruce
NJ

>>> "thermoss" <thermoss@prodigy.net> 10/07/02 06:31PM >>>
I am in the process of designing a trellis in a art deco style .In order =
to
cut down on weight I am thinking of using aluminum any tips on forging
aluminum? I am thinking of just light surface treatment basically .
I've never really hammered allum.  heat or no heat? if I use brass or =
bronze
as an accent is there a reaction between the metals I should be aware of?
thanks.
.