forklift blades?

[J. Neilson]

Anyone know what kind of steel forklift blades are made out of. I had a friend drop off about 3' off the tips last night. I think their case hardened but, I have no idea if they're worth while.

 

[Colin KC]

I don't think they're case hardened, I've heard that people do make good knives outa them, I'll try remember where I saw it.

 

[Sweany]

probably 4140 or 4340 or something similar. Makes good anvils or hammers. little low in carbon for a good knife.....

 

[Colin KC]

apparently 8620 & various chrome/moly steels, amongst others.

grind a piece off, harden & tap wiv an 'ammer

 

[DaQo'tah Forge]

hi this is DaQo'tah

QUESTION - "What does the term 'Case hardened' mean?"

 

[Colin KC]

Hi,
Case hardening is the migration of carbon into iron or mild steel to enable it to be hardened on the surface only, this has been in the past a cheap method of producing things like files. It's relatively simple & can be done in a blacksmiths forge.

 

[Sweany]

don't know any reason a fork would be hardened or case hardened, tough and flexable are the requirements for a fork lift fork.

you can case harden with a commercial product called caeisenite

or pack the steel to be hardened in carbon material (leather hoove trimmings etc). and hold the steel at 900 to 1000 f for a few hours. The hardened steel layer will only be few hundreths thick but it serves the purpose.

 

[RARanney]

Wayne Goddard uses one for a post anvil.

 

[rlinger]

DaQo,

Case hardening allows the tool to not be brittle but hard on its exterior. For example: Grade 8 bolts are case hardned so they can flex somewhat under stress without breaking yet exhibite the hardness required for their usage.

Roger