Canister Damascus attempt 2

V

Vincent Price

Joined
Feb 28, 2020
Messages
74
I built my forge, it's a forced air propane with a single burner. This is my second attempt at canister damascus. I don't have a power hammer or press just arm strength. Looks like my powder is getting set but the bearings aren't welding. This is a 1x1 can, I tried to set it firm with the hammer but didn't go overboard and try to draw it out flat or anything. I made sure to let it soak quite awhile between rounds until it was heated through. Do you think I'm just not getting it hot enough or not pounding hard enough? I know it's difficult to tell without watching me and seeing it in person but thought maybe someone would have an idea.
https://vincentpriceknives.com/external-access-pictures
 
Are you sure that the bearings are weldable? I've seen a bearing pop out of a piece of A36 mild steel bar during forging architectural pieces for a gate. And I'm pretty sure that the foundry where the bar was made (obviously from scrap) was getting up to temp and has their forging processes down.
 
weo said:
Are you sure that the bearings are weldable? I've seen a bearing pop out of a piece of A36 mild steel bar during forging architectural pieces for a gate. And I'm pretty sure that the foundry where the bar was made (obviously from scrap) was getting up to temp and has their forging processes down.
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They are 52100 bearings from McMaster Carr.
 
Canister damascus needs to be HOT and soak for a while to get the heat all the way to the core. Your forge may not be big/hot enough. It also needs considerable reduction to weld up. Far more than welding a stacked billet. It really takes a press and squaring dies to do it right. All reductions should be at welding heat until solidified. I would say that a 25% reduction is in order before opening the canister.
 
Vincent Price said:
I built my forge, it's a forced air propane with a single burner. This is my second attempt at canister damascus. I don't have a power hammer or press just arm strength. Looks like my powder is getting set but the bearings aren't welding. This is a 1x1 can, I tried to set it firm with the hammer but didn't go overboard and try to draw it out flat or anything. I made sure to let it soak quite awhile between rounds until it was heated through. Do you think I'm just not getting it hot enough or not pounding hard enough? I know it's difficult to tell without watching me and seeing it in person but thought maybe someone would have an idea.
https://vincentpriceknives.com/external-access-pictures
Click to expand...
Yes , you just not get it hot enough .Steel powder can fool you that canister is ready , because it is powder it will heat much faster then balls ,significantly faster !You need to soak longer ,when you think it is enough let it soak twice long ,steel inside is protected so no worry from long soak ..........pounding hard not help at all , temperature is factor to weld steel .
Clean what you have and make other canister and try again :thumbsup:
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Canister damascus needs to be HOT and soak for a while to get the heat all the way to the core. Your forge may not be big/hot enough. It also needs considerable reduction to weld up. Far more than welding a stacked billet. It really takes a press and squaring dies to do it right. All reductions should be at welding heat until solidified. I would say that a 25% reduction is in order before opening the canister.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I definitely didn't reduce it that much. A press is out of my capabilities right now so I'll try again. Maybe make a guillotine tool.
 
Natlek said:
Yes , you just not get it hot enough .Steel powder can fool you that canister is ready , because it is powder it will heat much faster then balls ,significantly faster !You need to soak longer ,when you think it is enough let it soak twice long ,steel inside is protected so no worry from long soak ..........pounding hard not help at all , temperature is factor to weld steel .
Clean what you have and make other canister and try again :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Thanks. I'll try again!
 
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