Forging Titanium?

Centaur

Centaur

Joined
Sep 16, 1999
Messages
3,277
That Blacksmith that I am (sort of)apprenticing under had gotten his hands of some scrap titanium rods. Anybody have any tips on coal forging & titanium?

Thanks in advance!

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Glen AKA Centaur
"If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."
- Isaac Newton
 
Hello Centaur!

Here comes tip #1: Forget about it!

No, really. For titanium it doesn't really matter if you heat it or not. It just stays too hard to be forged. I have access to a 50 kilo power hammer, but even with this one it's too hard to move. The problem is, if you heat it to red/orange, it won't move. If you heat it to yellow, it starts to move, but it starts to crack and crumble, too. Working titanium is limited to casting and stock removal.

Achim

 
I know of two smiths that have forged titanium tongs they say it is easy to forge and makes an excellent tong. Achim, maybe they have a different alloy than you did. You'll never know unless you try. Ask your question over at www.keenjunk.com check the archives for this topic.

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It is better to bear the rebuke of a wise man than to enjoy the flattery of fools.
 

Don Fogg has done forged titanium handles on a couple of pieces, after anodizing it looks pretty spiffy
smile.gif


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KSwinamer

Atheism....A non-prophet organization
 
I'm not sure of the alloy, the 'smith only said that it was scrap titanium.

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Glen AKA Centaur
"If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."
- Isaac Newton
 
Hi all!

mikeS, maybe you're right. The alloy i used was Ti Al 7 Mo 4. Even with a 50 kilo air hammer it was nearly impossible to move it.

Maybe i should try pure titanium.

Achim
 
I was at a gun show a coupla years ago and Kellam knives had a pattern welded Ti dagger. I forgot the particulars. It was a random pattern and anodized. The two alloys gave it different colors. Beutiful work. Wish I could recall the maker.

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It is better to bear the rebuke of a wise man than to enjoy the flattery of fools.
 
My friend found that forging was pointless, try using a benchgrinder. Just grind out the shape you want then treat the stuff.

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I can draw any knife I want, I just can't afford to make it, or buy it.....
 
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