How do you get started?

Discussion in 'Blades' started by melbo, Aug 6, 2005.


  1. Valkman

    Valkman Knifemaker Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    You can use propane on a larger forge where you have more volume and use a bigger tank, but for these MAPP gas from Home Depot works great.
     
  2. BigUglyOne

    BigUglyOne Monkey+++ Founding Member

    Would my Oxy Acetylene torch work or would it be too hot in the bricks ?
     
  3. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Bricks are cheap, give it a try. b:: Use a face shield, if the bricks are the least wet, you chance some spalling that can be, um, violent. Better heat them slowly until they are pretty dry.

    The thing is, an oxy acetylene torch burns some 400 or so degrees hotter than an oxy mapp setup. (Referring to my memory, O-A is abbut 6300, MAPP is about 5700, but my memory is not THAT good to rely on.) I think the torch referred to by Valkman is the single bottle type that is about like a normal propane torch used for soldering copper pipe, and that don't use pressurized O2. Way cooler flame.

    With a full size cutting rig, you need to use the smallest rosebud (neutral flame!!) you can find and use a (brick?) heat sink to rest your work piece on so you can control the temps better by color. You might also try it with refractory brick like is used to line a fireplace rather than normal brick.

    If you can get your hands on a pyrometer, so much the better. There are plenty of heat treatment references around that can tell you what temps to heat a given alloy to, and for how long, to get the properties you want.

    Best o' luck.
     
  4. BigUglyOne

    BigUglyOne Monkey+++ Founding Member

    The brick should hold up fine, I was more worried that I would melt the steel instead of just heating it because the brick concentrated so much heat. I have a MAPP gas rig also so it isn't a big deal.
     
  5. Bear

    Bear Monkey+++ Founding Member Iron Monkey

    The bricks are typically good for about 2600 or 2700.... yup... I think you'll burn or melt the steel before the bricks go on ya.....
     
  6. kckndrgn

    kckndrgn Monkey+++ Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    hmm, I might have to give knife making a try, I guess it would be a good skill to have if the SHTF in a major way.
    Myself and a friend have done the heat treating for some wood turning tools. We used charcoal in one of the starter chimneys and I believe some peanut oil. That worked great for what we did, could the same be done for knives?

    Ryan
     
  7. Bear

    Bear Monkey+++ Founding Member Iron Monkey

    Peanut oil should be fine.... make sure to heat it up a bit... maybe around 125 degrees...
    I'll get your stuff out this week....

    O.k. I've sent or will be sending out 4 of these starter kits... running low or out of the goodies so gonna have to call it done on the offer....

    Hope to see more pics from those budding knifemakers out there.... [beer]
     
  8. Bear

    Bear Monkey+++ Founding Member Iron Monkey

    By the way.... yup... knifemaking, general blacksmithing and metal fabrication will definitely be a valued skill in a SHTF situation.... learn how to forge with basic materials... building a forge in the ground, make shift tuyere or air blast, makeshift anvil, quenching in all types of liquids - including water, how to forge weld, etc.... these are all great skills.... propane, oxygen, acetylene, mapp etc... will be hard to come by.... coal, charcoal, wood may be all you have.....

    oops... sorry for the drift
     
  9. Valkman

    Valkman Knifemaker Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    Peanut oil works great for quenching, as does olive oil. :shock:
     
  10. BigUglyOne

    BigUglyOne Monkey+++ Founding Member

    Don't you use transmission oil ?
     
  11. BigUglyOne

    BigUglyOne Monkey+++ Founding Member

    Hey Bear ! Got your gift, I didn't realize you were so far away !!!!

    Thanks a lot, I really appreciate it !! Time to have some fun !
     
  12. kckndrgn

    kckndrgn Monkey+++ Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    Bear,
    I got your package today as well, that was a fast delivery!!!!


    Now, I just have to figure out what to do next :D

    Ryan
     
  13. Valkman

    Valkman Knifemaker Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    You can - most oils will work, and some are better than others depending on how fast they transmit the heat away from the blade. Used motor oil was popular but it's messy and stinky and I don't know anyone that uses it now.

    There's also actual "quenching oil" but the only knifemaker I know of that uses it is Ed Fowler.
     
  14. Valkman

    Valkman Knifemaker Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    I'd get some books and/or tapes. Forums such as Bladeforums and usualsuspect.com are also a wealth of info.
     
  15. Bear

    Bear Monkey+++ Founding Member Iron Monkey

    Hey Guys....
    You're both welcome....
    Hey Valkman....
    Sent them 2 of the bricks, some o-1 steel stock, stabilized wood scales, brass pins and brass tubing.... maybe you can give them some tips...

    Valkman is a wealth on knowledge on this start up guys.... I'm sure he'll be happy to help out.... remember to post pics...

    Bear
     
  16. slash-5

    slash-5 Monkey+++ Founding Member

    I'm interested. But, I'll be happy to pay for the supplies if necessary...
     
  17. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    Welcome to the site Slash-5!
    [beer]
     
  18. slash-5

    slash-5 Monkey+++ Founding Member

    Check out Don Fogg's site. I can't get to it from work (blocked), but he has some excellent articles on building knives.
     
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