[TheForge] Stainless steel tools

[Andrew Vida]

Harry wrote:
> Hi all,
> 
>     If I am to work with stainless should I make hardies and such out of
>     stainless as well?

	No.

 > And on the subject of stainless does it forge
>     well?

	Stainless is pretty miserable stuff in forging, especially by hand.  It 
is quite tough and generally reluctant to move under the hammer.  I have 
found it slow to take heat, making for longer soak times, yet it seems 
to lose heat rapidly.  This is probably more a matter of perception than 
thermodynamic reality.  SS is a great material in terms of final 
outcomes, but getting there via hammer and anvil can be a challenge.

	I suppose it boils down to personal preference.  Most smiths hate 
wrought iron with a passion; I happen to love it.

 > I haven't tried any yet but they produce a lot of stainless
>     scrap at work. I was looking at a 2" shaft they were throwing away
>     and thinking it could be used for a lot of things...if it can be
>     forged.

	One thing I can assure you is that unless you possess a herculean 
hammer arm or at least a 200# power hammer, you are not going to have 
much success drawing down a bar that heavy, especially in SS.

 > I don't have a plasma cutter so it would have to be cut the
>     old fashioned way. What I have been working with so far would be
>     A36, leaf springs, any bits of steel that were handy. I have some
>     fairly large gauge copper wire I have been playing with as well. 

	I will say that SS will be noticeably more difficult to move than the 
equivalent section of leaf spring (perhaps 5160).  You can guage your 
prospects accordingly. :)
> 
> Glad the holidays are over.

	You said a mouthful.

	Good luck with your stainless adventures.

	-Andy