[TheForge] Outdoor finish, rust protection

[Doug Ayen]

Quoth Andy Vida (osan@netlabs.net):
> 
> 
> Doug Ayen wrote:
> > 
> > Quoth Jared Albright (jared@llbrown.com):
> > > ___________Im keen on doing some pieces that will be for outdoor use,
> > > what the best way to protect them from rust?  Thanks for anyones help.
> > >
> > >
> > 
> > 1) forge from stainless or other non-rusting material. Hey, if you
> > can sell the customer on it, he'll pay for the no-maintenance materials.
> 
> 	Have you ever forged stainless?  It's a major pain in the ass.
> 	It is very tough and does not like to give under the hammer.

Yes. I'm mostly a knifemaker, so I've forged stainless quite a bit. 
Admittedly, I use a power hammer quite a bit, as it is quite hard
to get to move. Nonetheless, I've done some architectural work with
it, and it does work. For the low carbon stuff, you don't have to
worry as much about red-shortness as some of the high-chromium
tool steels like D2, but with patience and a strong arm it can
be done.

Looks pretty good, too -- the black oxide coating that forms is quite
tough and persistant.

--doug