[TheForge] forging nickle alloys

[Jerry Frost]

I'm sure some of you know Bill Roberts but he not only answered the question 
he went above and beyond by giving it a try. Below is his reply and Youtube 
link.

Frosty
-------------------------
If it ain't forged
It ain't real
wrought iron is
The Frostworks


I've got a (1/4" thick) piece of nickel silver plate, I'll cut off a
lil chunk and let ya know. :)
But considering that it's mostly copper I'd expect it to forge nicely.

Just checked out the Rio catalog........think that's where I ordered
it from....but it's been a LOooooong time......so it may have come
from a knife supply source. BUT.........the Rio nickel silver is.....
65% copper/17%zinc/18%nickel.

Well........just for the heck of it...... I tried to forge it
cold........my initial thoughts are that you can do surface texture
forging cold. Just like aluminum, copper, silicon bronze. But I
didn't "push it" to start with, assuming that it might need to be
forged hot.

WELL........ as usual, I have over thought it again. I decided I'd
see how far I'd could forge it before it work hardened and split. You
know how much I enjoy forging aluminum and copper
cold........well......apparently you can forge nickel silver the same
way. I've shot a lil video of forging a simple taper.... then I got
aggressive with it and forged a nice fishtail taper. When I got to
about 1/8" thick..... I expected it might be about to split.
WRONG.........then I'd decided I'd see how thin I could forge it
before it did split. Short answer......forged it  paper thin and no
split. HAS TO BE THE COPPER content. I REALLY like the way it forges.

THANKS FOR ASKING, JER. Tell your bud to forge away. :) I'd expect 1"
to be a lot of fun.

:)

------------------------------------------- And the link

ask and ye shall receive.:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92DcXHpJXPA

Das IT. :)

Your friend will need a power hammer or a LARGE hand hammer to forge
1" material. And I'd use fullering(crowned) dies, as opposed to flat.
FWIW.
Forging 1" by hand will be a serious workout. LOL
:)

Bill Roberts
http://www.CustomDesignMetalArts.com