[TheForge] Press vs Power hammer

[Justin Fellenz]

Not having a press...I have been visualizing a large and heavy force
distribution plate top and bottom to spread the force over the billet
so all pressure is downward with a "squish" in all directions. I'm not
sure how that would shear the welds unless the ram deflected. Am I
missing something? Do the welds shear because the different strata
squish at a different rate before welding totally? I suppose I'll find
out....

J  
--- Andrew Vida <osan at netlabs.net> wrote:

> I'm surprised you have not tried it yourself before asking.  But the 
> answer is yes.  Just be careful on the first heat not to squeeze too 
> hard so you don't shear the welds. :)
> 
> Ron LeVine wrote:
> > Greetings,
> > 
> > I have been lurking here for a while and have a question that I
> think is valid.
> > 
> > I am interested in doing damascus knife blades. The few that I have
> done so far have been hand hammered and have taken an average of
> about 8 hours per blade.
> > 
> > I have a 20ton press (see here) and am wondering if using this
> would save me some time and effort.
> > 
> > ANy thoughts??? Is this the wrong type of press?
> > 
> > With regards,
> > Ron LeVine AKA Clueless Newbie
> > _______________________________________________
> > Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
> > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> > theforge mail list group photo site is
> > http://www.photoaccess.com
> > Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
> > password:  anvil
> > ___________
> > 
> > 
> > 
> 
> -- 
> 
> 
> 	-Andy V.
> 
> A dog, a woman, a walnut tree...
> The more you beat `em, the better they be.
> 
> 	_From "The Red Badge of Courage"
> _______________________________________________
> Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> theforge mail list group photo site is
> http://www.photoaccess.com
> Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
> password:  anvil
> ___________
> 
> 
>