Engraving titanium? Stacy?

Bill DeShivs

Bill DeShivs

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jun 6, 2000
Messages
12,931
Interestingly, I have never worked titanium. Not much of it in antique knives.
But I recently realized that I were asked to engrave or modify a Ti knife-I have no idea the hardness!
Does it engrave smoothly? How does it cut compared to other metals?
Thanks!
 
Ti cuts with hss tooling fine. It's a little like cutting aluminum in that it's not very hard, buy it's tougher. It gets sticky at machining temperature so lube or coolant is recommended. It takes more tool pressure to cut than aluminum so deflection can be an issue though likely not with engraving. Ice tapped it as small as 4-40 without issue. Sharp tools, no problem.

It's really odd when you work it the first time and see that it files beautifully and makes grinding equipment cry. Completely opposite of steel in that respect.
 
Interesting!
I might have to acquire a piece and play with it.
Thank you very much!
 
I have some left over chunks of tubing if you'd like them to practice on/play with. 1.375 and 1.5 diameter, about 1.5 long drop from another project. Useless to me but would give you a feel for it.
 
I have done a few Sebenzas and those handles are no problem at all . I don't know the alloy off hand. Remember that there are many Ti alloys .Maybe Mecha can give you more info.
 
Thanks, Kuraki- I'll find some flat pieces, but I appreciate the offer.
 
No problem. It can get pricey so I thought I'd offer. I thought about trying to flatten them out and use them for spacers and maybe I will but I don't think it will work very well.
 
CP titanium is much easier to engrave than 6AL4V (6-4) titanium. An engraver told me, when he engraves 6-4, he spends more time sharpening his tools than engraving.

Chuck
 
Grade 5 (6-4) is about all I work with. It cuts as easy or easier than those steels but wears tools a little faster if you're comparing to the annealed state.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top