[TheForge] Banding Steel

[Roger R Degner]

Two ways to partially determine carbon content
Spark test
Heat to nonmagnetic quench in oil 
Place in vise with little bit sticking up tap with hammer while wearing
safety glasses and gloves.  If it breaks it is high carbon.  If it bends
heat again quench in water redo break test if it still bends low carbon.

Low/high carbon make good contrast for damascus

I grind off the paint before stacking in billet
Also grind off scale
Not sure if it is required but if my mind thinks so it is easier even though
it is not.

Roger R Degner


I have a bucket full of banding steel, would this be
good for making bilets or some kind of pratice
damascus?
If it is just junk steel, it will go to teh recycling
pile.

Merry Christmas,

Jerry