A Good Long Screw

J

Jim L.

Joined
Mar 2, 2006
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281
Now that I've got your attention, What kind of steel goes into these? I was making some charcoal last night and came across This old bolt (more like a threaded rod) that I was saving for what ever purpose and decided to see if it could be forged.

It started as an 18" long, 3/16" thick steel rod that was threaded at one end and flanged at the other. I now have a couple of 1 1/2L" X 3/8w blades with 2 1/2" tangs. They'll probably have life as antler handled patch knives.

I was just wondering how they might perform.

Thank's for any help.

Jim L.
 
I have never seen one of what you have described, it sounds like the configuration of a carriage bolt but there are no 3/16" carriage bolts, anyway it is probably mild steel and generic in variety, unless it is / was a one-off type of fastener....or if it had grade markings on the flange, which I assume it did not.
 
Ryou said:
I have never seen one of what you have described, it sounds like the configuration of a carriage bolt but there are no 3/16" carriage bolts, anyway it is probably mild steel and generic in variety, unless it is / was a one-off type of fastener....or if it had grade markings on the flange, which I assume it did not.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure. It was pretty rusty when I re-found it. I'll have to wire brush around the flange to see if I can find something.

The little blades do have a good ring to them though. :D

Jim L.
 
Depending on the age of the bolt, and its intended purpose, it may be improved plough steel. Grind a small piece and observe the sparks. Try to determine if it has a fair amount of carbon. It may end up surpriseing you.
 
I have a bunch of that kind of funky looking screw/bolt/allthread rod thing, left over from my cabinetry days. They came from old wooden cable spools, the kind that you see in hardware stores with rope & cable on them. We set up a cabinet shop in an old warehouse and I took the old spools apart and used the rods as through-rods for shop shelves.

These days, I have no use for the threaded part; the unthreaded part makes great pins for fixing old gates & shed doors, to keep that old look. The ones I have are fairly soft.

thx - cpr
 
If it is a carriage bolt (rounded domed head, square shoulder) then it can come in a variety of steels an sizes.
(If it's a round flat smooth head, square shoulder that is a plow bolt)
They are readily available in Grade2, Grade5 and stainless (usually 316) ranging in sizes 10-24 (3/16") to 1"-8.

To give you an idea, Grade 5 Alloy A387 is as follows:

C 0.15
Mn 0.30-0.60
P 0.04
S 0.030
Si 0.50
Cr 4.00-6.00
Mo 0.45-0.65

You could make a jabby stick but I doubt you could make a decent blade from it.
 
orca8589 said:
I have a bunch of that kind of funky looking screw/bolt/allthread rod thing, left over from my cabinetry days. They came from old wooden cable spools, the kind that you see in hardware stores with rope & cable on them. We set up a cabinet shop in an old warehouse and I took the old spools apart and used the rods as through-rods for shop shelves.

These days, I have no use for the threaded part; the unthreaded part makes great pins for fixing old gates & shed doors, to keep that old look. The ones I have are fairly soft.

thx - cpr
Click to expand...

Now as you mention it, that is where I remember getting them from :(. Oh, well. I'll press on to see how they fair up (the two that are forged). Thanks, Guys!

Jim L.
 
Seems like alot of work when you could use an old straight razor, put an antler on it, and have a great patch knoife! Jabby stick, yeah, now that's the ticket!
 
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