Working is light material

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Hrogn
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Working is light material

Post by Hrogn »

Hi Everybody. This is more of a comment than a question.

This past weekend, I got to work with some 16 ga stainless. I am accustomed to 12-14 ga for helmets. Wow, did it ever form nicely. It was remarkably easy to just bang into the shape I wanted. It seemed like butter. And I bet brass/copper/bronze would be easier yet.

So I got to thinking that it might be a lot of fun to go thin for a bit and just make some helmets for fun. I bet a guy could pop out a complete 16 ga. helmet pretty easily and make it look exactly how you want. Maybe this armouring thing could be fun rather that a battle. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy it, but cutting, shaping and drilling 12ga. stainless feels more like a battle sometimes when a guy has less than perfect tools.

So anyways, that is about it, but I just thought that I would mention that thin stuff is fun to use. Because I had forgot about that so I thought I would mention it in case anybody else had forgotten too.

Hrogn

(P.S. - this is not an appropriate thread to comment about denting 12 ga and how it is excessive to need it for helmets or if you can do it, etc.)
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mrks
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Post by mrks »

after you have spent some time working 12ga stainless 14 ga seems soft.

same goes for Ti. lighter gauges are easy to shape until you hit 22 ga.

mrks
sirmrks
mostly retired but still producing as a hobby.
am tired of making Titanium and 301 SS finger gauntlets
but still offer DIY shaped 301SS fingertip kits for $60 shipped.
usually can ship next day.
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Mike F
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Post by Mike F »

20ga steel is a pleasure to work. You really need spring steel to make it work, though.

Have you tried working hot? It's neat. Like butter.

Cupric alloys work harden quickly, mind you.
It's up to you now.
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