[TheForge] forging aluminum

[Bruce Freeman]

I have a tiny bit of experience forging aluminum.

First of all, aluminum, like most non-ferous metals, can be forged cold, providing it is annealed when it begins to work-harden.  It can also be forged hot, in which case a separate annealing process is not necessary.  

Like the copper-based metals, aluminum conducts heat a LOT better than steel, so you'll need tongs to hold it when hot - even when working a long piece.

When annealing, or when forging hot never get it above the temperature at which a stick of wood will write on the shiny alumnum exactly as if it were a black crayon.  Above this temp., it will crumble.

Hope this helps.

Bruce
NJ

>>> gladish at cnw.com 6/3/2005 11:29:19 AM >>>
Hi, everybody.
Has any of you got experience forging aluminum, or know of a good book 
or resource on same?
I want to build a decorative screen for a garden, and aluminum would be 
the best choice for the location, but can't seem to find anything in my 
library about forging it. Is it done cold and annealed, or do you use a 
low heat in the forge?
In the dark here...
Thanks!
Andy G.


-- 
Andy Gladish, Metalwork
7141 Guemes Island Rd.
Anacortes, WA 98221
Element Forge  www.elementfe.com 
mailto: andy at elementfe.com 

I never saw an ugly thing in my life: for let the form of an object be what
it may, -- light, shade, and perspective will always make it beautiful.
-John Constable, painter (1776-1837)

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