Forge-Timey Updates

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stwm

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May 6, 2016
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So I will have to transfer a bunch of pics and upload them to have something to go along with this, but I just wanted to let everyone know I've got my forge set back up and have been messing around. I made some hooks to hold back curtains, which was nice...
but tonight: I got to (finally) heat treat that big old bowie my buddy Dan and I made (mostly Dan, but I swung the sledge) out of a rock-breaking bit.
It took me two tries but I got it super duper hard after the second quench.

I've got it in the toaster oven at 400 as we speak. 60 min x 3 at 400 is my plan. Think it is S-1 or S-5 or some such thing.
 
I've seen a few conflicting sources about time/temp/hrc for tempering so here goes nothing! I hope I don't make it dead soft from 3 1 hour cycles at 400F.
 
Hmm...after one cycle, it's a little softer. Not sure I want it too much softer but I'll hit it again since this should be a tough shock-resistant monster when its finished! My first Bowie!

Wow! It's true they don't get a soul till you heat treat it. Before HT it swung like a lead stick, I just swung it and man now it feels great and SISIINNNGSS!!! Whoopie! Tomorrow, hopefully, it gets a handle and we get sharp and hack hack hack something!

I won't lie, I just want to sharpen it and use it! screw handles.
 
I like the results after the triple temper. I test fit all my pins and we are still good to go. The handle scales are final rough shaped and they were too too thick. I ripped them with my bandsaw. then I got excited and screwed them all up and had to mangle up another one on the table saw because my bandsaw only cuts to the right now. anywho, I took the scales down to 10mm because they were too too too thick.

I think I'm going to do a little woodworking and clean up them scales some before I do a glue up, final shaping, and sharpening! woo woo!! here we go!
 
Bandsaws can be temperamental beast, especially if you have an inexpensive one like I do. Or Cheap blades.

My little bench top table saw is a man eater. Seems everytime I turn it on it tries and usually succeeds in hurting me.
Hard to even talk about it.

I've tossed many a handle blank into the wood stove messing them up. One more reason I avoid power tools, it only allows me to screw things up much faster than with file and hand saw.

I do like messing with the wood though. Happiness is being covered in sawdust, unless of course it's a hot day and your sweating, then not so much.
 
Bawanna said:
Bandsaws can be temperamental beast, especially if you have an inexpensive one like I do. Or Cheap blades.

My little bench top table saw is a man eater. Seems everytime I turn it on it tries and usually succeeds in hurting me.
Hard to even talk about it.

I've tossed many a handle blank into the wood stove messing them up. One more reason I avoid power tools, it only allows me to screw things up much faster than with file and hand saw.

I do like messing with the wood though. Happiness is being covered in sawdust, unless of course it's a hot day and your sweating, then not so much.
Click to expand...
I was sorely tempted to throw a bunch of walnut in a box and ship you the knife! You woodchuck!, you!
 
Wow that kid sure grows quick, looks newborn in the first and about 1 1/2 in the second. Amazing.

The woodchuck is always standing by if needed. No worries.

Knife is looking good.
 
Khul post vise. Id sure like to pick me one up soon. Good job on the knife. Have you tried running a file across the edge to test the edge hardness. Good time to do it. You can always quench it again and start over if it aint right but once you get the handle on its all done. It sure has some nice lines to it! Cant wait to see the end!
 
ndoghouse said:
Khul post vise. Id sure like to pick me one up soon. Good job on the knife. Have you tried running a file across the edge to test the edge hardness. Good time to do it. You can always quench it again and start over if it aint right but once you get the handle on its all done. It sure has some nice lines to it! Cant wait to see the end!
Click to expand...
Ran the file test after the first quench, didn't like it and quenched again. It got really good and skatey hard...

Good news: Got a ton done today! Learned a lot about woodworking and handlemaking.
Bad news:

https://imgur.com/a/DYolPTq
 
I always acrglas the handle along with the pins. Don't make your pins so tight.

All the pins are for is shear, the epoxy by itself is really enough to keep the handles on.

I often times blind pin so they don't show but still give the shear factor.

That being said I've had your experience countless times on knife handles and gun handles.
Just last weekend I whittle out 5 sets of revolver handles, only two survived. The other cracked while final shaping with a file. Lots of time wasted and back to the drawing board.

Keep at it.
 
There is a trick that you quench and temper only moments apart. Gotta know the Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star rhyme, though.
 
Awesome project
Bawanna said:
I always acrglas the handle along with the pins. Don't make your pins so tight.

All the pins are for is shear, the epoxy by itself is really enough to keep the handles on.

I often times blind pin so they don't show but still give the shear factor.

That being said I've had your experience countless times on knife handles and gun handles.
Just last weekend I whittle out 5 sets of revolver handles, only two survived. The other cracked while final shaping with a file. Lots of time wasted and back to the drawing board.

Keep at it.
Click to expand...

Awesome project! Thanks for the words of wisdom and support/experience!
I found three unfinished gun-stocks in the old workshop here... no use to me ;)
 
I run an adoption agency for unfinished stocks that are no use to anybody. Can't email or PM you.
Some I just hang onto in case I ever find a rifle to fit, sometimes I have a rifle that fits, sometimes they are just wood to be repurposed for something else.

You might be able to PM me, not sure. I do hate unwanted stocks just laying around with no purpose in life ya know.
I'll do something or pay maybe if necessary. Grass or gas, nobody rides for free. I think Bookie taught me that.
 
Yep, I did. My mule likes to eat grass, you know, but admittedly, it does give'im gas. Bawanna, you got any C96 machine pistol grips? Ones with 9s carved in them are good to use, too. Finished shortening the wooden Mauser_C96.jpg holster/shoulder stock for it yesterday.
 
Darn the luck, I sent out the last set just yesterday morning.

That thing is positively sweet. that's my oh my sweet.

I had a good week, swapped for a couple S&W Break tops, 44 Russian & 38 S&W and got a 22 Break top Iver Johnson off an auction site. Happy day.
 
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