[TheForge] Stainless steel tools

[Dan Tull]

A leaf that takes 3 heats in carbon can take 12 in SS.

Much smaller window, and if you push it,  it will crack after you put all 
that work into it.
Ask me how I know.
Unless I was getting LOTS of money for it, I would not attempt 2" even w/ my 
100 BigBLU.



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Andrew Vida" <osan at netlabs.net>
To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2007 1:39 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Stainless steel tools


>
>
> 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
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