fitzo
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2001
- Messages
- 6,648
Robert, of course Bruce will need to provide the final answers, but I can make a comment for you.
First, the billet you see with the cuts is the "accordian" process partially done. Those triangular pieces need to be removed. Thus, I think what "may be" going to happen is that a larger drill size is run down the pilot hole. The larger drill size and pilot positioning would be selected to just connect the lines. That's conjecture of course, as I don't know Bruce's process. This would then leave a triangular cutout with a rounded edge. That zigzag bar is then heated and slowly flattened with the presss or hammer, "opening" it up, and exposing the interior to the outside so you can see the pattern (in a repeating "tile", thus "mosaic") that runs longitudinally down the bar. The purpose of having a rounded edge on each triangle is so it won't shear when flattened. (The cutouts can be saved, and later tossed in a can and powder filled to produce the oddball "scrap" pattern. Some of those can turn out exoticly georgeous.)
As for what's in the can, it would be pretty certain that it is mostly high carbon steel. This can be a mix of just a couple steels like 1084 and 15N20, or could be a whole mishmash of various steels. (The cool thing about a whole mix of steels is that this is the start of the multicolored damascus we've seen at times. Another topic entirely.) That small square you see in the middle could be a spot for powder, or..... it could be prepared to receive another canister bar that has been drawn out, never opened, and re-inserted here to put a little figure running in the final product. The thing to think about is what the bar can look like AFTER it's been drawn out and accordianed open. That photo on Bruce's site is gonna be interesting, whatever it is. Perhaps something like a basketweave with something tucked in the middle.
The possibilities of what can happen using a can are endless, and very provocative, are they not? One can even toss (ugh) stainless in the mix in a can, as it too will weld if hot enough and oxy free. There was someone making damascus in a can at some point that used very fine shimstock, hundreds of layers at a time, in a can, and it would need no refolding after it was initially welded. Something I've been half-heartedly looking for is some very coarse screening in stainless, like 2 squares per inch, ala the "fish barrier" I saw at the nuke plant primary water intake. I've thought that layering that in a can and filling with 1084 powder around it may produce an interesting pattern. It may need to have that billet composited with a bar of "better" bladesteel around it for a cutting edge, but I betcha one could get a good "windowpane" pattern with the right screen.
AH, well, I ramble as usual. Hope this helped some. And, please, someone correct me where I screwed up anything here! Thanks!
First, the billet you see with the cuts is the "accordian" process partially done. Those triangular pieces need to be removed. Thus, I think what "may be" going to happen is that a larger drill size is run down the pilot hole. The larger drill size and pilot positioning would be selected to just connect the lines. That's conjecture of course, as I don't know Bruce's process. This would then leave a triangular cutout with a rounded edge. That zigzag bar is then heated and slowly flattened with the presss or hammer, "opening" it up, and exposing the interior to the outside so you can see the pattern (in a repeating "tile", thus "mosaic") that runs longitudinally down the bar. The purpose of having a rounded edge on each triangle is so it won't shear when flattened. (The cutouts can be saved, and later tossed in a can and powder filled to produce the oddball "scrap" pattern. Some of those can turn out exoticly georgeous.)
As for what's in the can, it would be pretty certain that it is mostly high carbon steel. This can be a mix of just a couple steels like 1084 and 15N20, or could be a whole mishmash of various steels. (The cool thing about a whole mix of steels is that this is the start of the multicolored damascus we've seen at times. Another topic entirely.) That small square you see in the middle could be a spot for powder, or..... it could be prepared to receive another canister bar that has been drawn out, never opened, and re-inserted here to put a little figure running in the final product. The thing to think about is what the bar can look like AFTER it's been drawn out and accordianed open. That photo on Bruce's site is gonna be interesting, whatever it is. Perhaps something like a basketweave with something tucked in the middle.
The possibilities of what can happen using a can are endless, and very provocative, are they not? One can even toss (ugh) stainless in the mix in a can, as it too will weld if hot enough and oxy free. There was someone making damascus in a can at some point that used very fine shimstock, hundreds of layers at a time, in a can, and it would need no refolding after it was initially welded. Something I've been half-heartedly looking for is some very coarse screening in stainless, like 2 squares per inch, ala the "fish barrier" I saw at the nuke plant primary water intake. I've thought that layering that in a can and filling with 1084 powder around it may produce an interesting pattern. It may need to have that billet composited with a bar of "better" bladesteel around it for a cutting edge, but I betcha one could get a good "windowpane" pattern with the right screen.
AH, well, I ramble as usual. Hope this helped some. And, please, someone correct me where I screwed up anything here! Thanks!
