The Armour Archive

polarbearforge

1400 rpm's for a cutter diameter of 1.25 is way too fast. We machinists use the cutter diameter to calculate the rpms based on cutting speed for the material and type of cutter. Carbide is different than high speed steel. For the slotting saws, I've always used high speed steel. The boiled down form...

polarbearforge

You could always try adapting an arbor press to produce your force. That way with a steel rule die, you would have consistant pressure that was straight down.

Jamie

polarbearforge

Are you allergic to other fibres as well? Depending on what you are doing, could you replace the wool fibre with llama or alpaca?

Jamie

polarbearforge

Interesting, wonder how I missed this earlier. How thick are the plates? How big are the holes?

Jamie

polarbearforge

Actually the bandsaw method worked quite well. I usually had two partial links in the whole coil, the first one and the last one. It was very methodic. Very little material removed and wonderful flush ][ cuts. With the exception of the link cutter I built later on (built it in my head first while cu...

polarbearforge

When I was still doing chain, I started with the jeweler's saw and dremel. I was mainly making jewelry anyway. When I needed more links, I built my own cutter. The end cutters that give a // cut or a >< cut drive me up the wall. I do not like how it looks. On my <A href="http://www.polarbearforge.co...

polarbearforge

KerryStagmer wrote:heat treated Chromoly 48-50c rockwell blades.

Out of curiosity, which alloy are you using?

Jamie

polarbearforge

Jamie, Can you tell me anything about these people I would have preferred a PM or an email with questions like this, but oh well, free bump. I guess I did say any questions, just ask. Anytime you're buying damascus anything, the sell should be able to tell you the combination of materials. I didn't...

polarbearforge

I've built quite a few gas forges with just about all the burner designs that can currently be found online and them some.

Here's a good place to start, http://www.frontiernet.net/~gnreil/design.shtml He has a lot of information about forges and burners there.

I've never used those chips, so no idea how useful they'd be.

Jamie

polarbearforge

That's one of the anvils I'd like to get a casting of. Originally, I think that one was only about 65 pounds. While it might not be historically accurate, I want a bigger one.

Jamie

polarbearforge

Greetings all! I have a dagger blank for sale for those who would like to finish a knife on their own. It is forged from W-1 steel, and will be delivered already heat treated. The finish will be at 120 grit, and I can give instructions on how to finish it further on request. The blade itself is 11 3...

polarbearforge

I've only seen lost wax for non ferrous as well. For steel, I've seen lost foam and green sand.

Jamie

polarbearforge

I've used a few anvils that were made from 4340. They were good anvils. I'd stick with that alloy if you do this. I might be interested in an anvil like that. The only change I'd make, is to have a solid base instead of that arched opening. I'd also be interested on where you get it cast, I have som...

polarbearforge

Over at Anvilfire ( http://www.anvilfire.com ) under their Iforge section, there are a few tutorials on tongs. There is also this set of instructions, http://www.blksmth.com/tong_article.htm

Jamie

polarbearforge

I haven't had a chance to read through this whole post yet, but I will tonight. Which one is better? Neither. The important thing is the heat treat. (Edited to add:) However, heat treating for one who forges starts with the first heat in the forge. Usually for those who do stock removal, heat treat ...

polarbearforge

A lot of knifemakers have had problems with Admiral. I believe that most recommend talking to Terry, but I could be wrong. I had one dealing with Cleo once through email. Worst transaction ever.

Jamie

polarbearforge

ok, so suppose that I have a leaf spring. Now I intend to do the following: anneal it, then make it straight and after that reharden it. Is this ok or should I try something else? Or just beat it flat with large hammer, this meaning that I get microfractures. How do microfractures affect a blade on...

polarbearforge

Vic,

Thanks for the update! Even with my previous comments, I'll still probably buy them, especially the pattern welding techniques of Dark Age Europe!

Jamie

polarbearforge

The charcoal briquettes don't work well at all for forging. If you want to try again, use the hardwood charcoal. It looks like wood that hasn't been completely burned, because, well, it is wood that hasn't been completely burned. Myself, I'm a big fan of gas. I started with coal, and wouldn't trade ...

polarbearforge

One set sold, one set remaining.

Jamie

polarbearforge

It is a good read. While at was at ISU, I had the chance a few times to speak with him about steel. Very informative.

Jamie

polarbearforge

It won't hurt the tongs. They usually aren't made of steel that will harden anyway, and if they are, they shouldn't be fully hardened. I quench my tongs quite reguarly while forging to keep the cool. If you're forging tool steel, I'd avoid water quenching until you're more familiar it's heat treat. ...

polarbearforge

laudadio76 wrote:Check This OUt!
http://www.livesteelarmor.com/how/warsword.html

Please don't follow this. It is such a bad idea for so many reasons. Performance being one of them.

Jamie

polarbearforge

Greetings all! I have two sets of throwing knives available for immediate delivery. Each set consists of three knives. They are made from 5160, hardened and tempered to withstand a tremendous amount of abuse. They have a bead blasted finish. Overall length is just a little over 10 1/4 inches. Each o...

polarbearforge

Vic, Thanks for clarifying that for us. I haven't looked at the books in a while and didn't have time earlier to pull them out and check. The whole edge packing thing is probably on the dead horse list on just about any knife/blade forum. A brake drum forge isn't expensive. A good belt sander is mor...

polarbearforge

It's been a long time since I've looked through them as well. I just remember thinking to myself, "That's not right" while I was reading a number of passages. I think it's another source after you've started making blades for a while for some more ideas, but I don't recommend it for the beginner. Th...

polarbearforge

Jamie And where the heck were you last weekend? The Tenno I wish I had actually gone to Crown rather than the gun show I had committed to. It wasn't as attended as it was supposed to be and it would would have been more fun in Pierre. Fenrix, there are a few reasons I don't recommend The Complete B...

polarbearforge

If you use the search button, you'll find a lot of information already covered on this topic.

To sum up:
Make knives first and work up from there.
Leaf/coil springs are good starter material.
Hrisoulas' books aren't highly recommended for beginners.

Jamie

polarbearforge

Out of curiousity, what steel do you make your horseshoes out of and is it hardenable? Or is it more for show?

Jamie

polarbearforge

To expand a little, W1 forges like butter. (But doesn't taste as good on potatoes.) Cold forging mild steel is easier than forging D2. D2 is almost stainless, and air hardens pretty good. I don't water quench anything, but oil would still do a number on it. And I'm not evil, I prefer to think of it ...

polarbearforge

I have a few bottles of the gun blue touch up that I use to help too. If it blues real easily and real dark, it's not stainless.

Jamie

polarbearforge

Thomas Powers wrote:Always amusing to slip an "All springs are 5160" person a strain hardened micro alloy one and watch them try to harden it..

Actually, its more fun to tell a person that it's W-1 and actually slip them a piece of D-2.

Jamie

polarbearforge

Theres a new company in town here that does watercutting. They're at http://www.a1jet.com/. I have no affiliation. The things I've heard so far are good.

Jamie

polarbearforge

I use coil springs for people that I teach. One lesson they learn, sometimes the hard way, is that not all springs are 5160. Some forge a lot harder and some don't harden enough. Recycled material is great for starting out and for experimenting, but remember it has it's drawbacks.

Jamie

polarbearforge

5160 is a good choice for starting out and for swords. You can get 3/4" round bar from Ray Kirk at http://www.rakerknives.com/

Jamie

Re: Dagger kits!

forged dagger blank for sale

2 sets of throwing knives available