Bearing steel?

Osbourn · Feb 25, 2000

I was recently given an automotive bearing housing. It contained 15 bearings and a bronze liner. The bearings were rather badly rusted, but that's irrelevant for my purposes. I forged one out into a very cute knife. My question is this: Are automotive bearings 52100? It certainly acts like it, from all the descriptions I've read and heard, and it sparks JUST like it. My other concern is, would it have any additives making it less than desirable for use with food? I know some bearings are self-lubricating, but what does this mean, and is it only bronze bearings that have this quality?
Thanks in advance.

------------------
Oz

"Violence never settles anything."
Genghis Khan 1162-1227

Check out my egostistical homepage!
http://www.freespeech.org/oz/

T. J. · Feb 24, 2000

Ok, I'm curious, what bearing from a car is big enough to forge into a blade?

As far as the self oiling bit, that's only for bronze bearings. I cant imagine any reason not to use a blade forged from one on food. Also, the steel might not be exactly 52100, but there is some variation even within the specs for a specific steel. So, if it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck....serve it with orange sauce.

James

------------------
Those who are willing to trade freedom for security deserve neither, and in the end, seldom retain them!

Osbourn · Feb 24, 2000

I wish I knew what kind of car it was. For all I know, it could have come from a tractor, but I should clarify, these are 1" bearings. The housing forges rather nicely, too. I think I'll make a couple of bowies out of it. ;>
I did already heat treat it, and it's responses have been very promising. I heated it to non-magnetic and quenched in hot olive oil, then triple tempered at 375. I just wish I could have done a cryo on it. I'm hand rubbing it as we speak. I can't wait to post pics of it.
Orange sauce it is.

------------------
Oz

"Violence never settles anything."
Genghis Khan 1162-1227

Check out my egostistical homepage!
http://www.freespeech.org/oz/

magnum .44 · Feb 24, 2000

i don't think cryo will effect 52100, i think it's only used on stainless steels.
so don't worry about the cryo.

Osbourn · Feb 26, 2000

I was basing my heat treat loosely on Ed Fowlers instructions, and he reccomends a cryo before tempering. I think it has something to do with the chromium content, but he showed his test results, and it did make a difference. I think I did a pretty good job on the heat treat as it is, though. I won't know for sure until I put an edge on it, though.

------------------
Oz

Always remember what to do to them if they can't take a joke.

Check out my egostistical homepage!
http://www.freespeech.org/oz/

TomW · Feb 25, 2000

Not all bearings are 52100. If you plan on using a lot of scrounged bearings try to get some books/catalogs that the bearing distributors give to the maintenance shops in factories and look up the bearing number. The steels used are usually listed.
I've noticed that smaller bearings were the ones that were less likely to be 52100.
In working in a paper mill I salvaged many bearings that i gave to knifemakers but looked them up to make sure what i had.

Bruce Bump · Feb 28, 2000

I think it is 52100. I have bought new balls from Allied Bearings that had the certification paper with them. They come in all sizes including one inch. I make alot of ball bearing forged knives. They work great. I use the Ed Caffrey method of treating. They are very flexable and hold an edge for a long time. They can be ground very thin without warping from the heat-treating. Not very rust resistant though. Sand the blade very smooth and keep it oiled. They take a hair-popping sharp edge and can cut nails in half. Bruce

Osbourn · Feb 28, 2000

Well Bruce, with your testimony on it, along another reliable source, that's pretty much gospel. I used Ed Fowlers method, minus the cryo, and it's got that feel of a good blade to it already. Thanks for the input, folks. Now, do we have any ideas as to what the housing is? :>

------------------
Oz

Always remember what to do to them if they can't take a joke.

Check out my egostistical homepage!
http://www.freespeech.org/oz/

AchimW · Feb 28, 2000

Hello all!

Hey, osbourn, i am very sorry you are living in Middleburg, Fl. and not in Middelburg, Holland. If it was so, it would be possible for me to send you some 52100 in round bar form. I get it from SKF in belgium and it's the steel bars they use to turn the bearing balls from. SKF and FAG bearings are made from 52100.
The housings of the bearings are made of exactly the same material as the balls or rolls. If there was any difference in hardness or material between the housings and the balls, one of them would chip or break in no time and thus ruining the bearing. I have used bearing housings to make blades for three years now and have had very good results. Cryo treatment with liquid nitrogen makes these blades a lot better.

Achim