Need help to slice a plate.

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Arakiel

Arakiel

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Jun 14, 2010
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Hey guys.
I've got a .500"x12"x24" plate of DC53 that I want to slice into useable thicknesses for knife blanks. I live in the Ft. Lauderdale area, and have had difficulty finding a shop that can do it.
If anyone out there knows of a shop in my area that can part the .500" thickness into 3 equal portions or at least 2, I'm all ears.
 
Look for a Wire EDM shop.

Have it cut into usable strips first, then split it, and be prepared to PAY.

12x24 is huge for someone to try and split.
 
um, I've used a hacksaw to split O1 that way but it is a PITA... but it can be done, probably cheaper to order steel in the size you want, though the hacksaw is cheap...
 
That is a form of D2 it is very tough stuff to cut. EDM will cost you $100s to slice that. I was going to suggest forging it but it is air hardening and if anything like D2 under the hammer not even worth it. It would be much more cost effective to buy new steel and save the 1/2 inch thick stuff for fixturing around the shop. I am making a platen out of some hardened D2 that should work rather well. Just my .02
 
I agree with the above. Slicing materials usually costs a ton of time and $$$. Maybe save that piece for another project and just buy some steel the thickness you need for knife making. Sorry I don't have something better to tell ya, but it is what it is.....
 
yep save it for down the road for tooling or maybe a integral chopper (or 4 ) hell a few hunters woudl look nice with integral guards on them
 
Thanks guys. I love the integral idea.
FYI, DC53 is not available in anything thinner than 1/2". Guess I leaped before I looked on that slab. After researching the properties of the alloy, I was hell bent on giving it a spin. At this point, it has turned out to be more trouble than it's worth. I don't make tooling anymore, so using this for a die (as the material was designed for) isn't on my radar.
I think my best shot will be to rig up an electromagnetic chuck in a horizontal bandsaw and slice up the pre-cut strips lengthwise. Of course, I'll have to buy both vertical and horizontal bandsaws....at least I already have the chuck!
 
now that's a cool idea, I've been pondering how to clamp stuff in my horizontal bandsaw (you should see the dog's breakfast that became) to split stock but the magnetic chuck sounds great
 
maybe you can get it water jet cut. I looked for some kerf widths real fast, and It think you can reasonably expect a kerf less than .1", and maybe as little as .05", and they can cut through several inches. you could also get a bunch of blanks cut out. maybe H20 knife will chime up.
 
What I've been picturing is a slitting saw in a milling machine- with flood coolant

But it's a silk purse and sow's ear situation
 
No practical way to do it. I'd say cut the sheet into the knife size you would like(.500"x12"x2"for example), then slit to thickness.
 
I just wanted to say it's refreshing to see a fella ask for advice on an idea that doesn't have any real easy solutions, and take the advice to heart--- and just at that value too--- as friendly advice. Instead of coming back and snapping, "Well, I see what you all posted, but I'm going to go do XYZ anyway."

;) :)
 
Thanks for the compliment, Nick. I also like the suggestion of waterjetting then slicing the jetted slabs, Nebulae.
My philosophy is "no ask, no learn" so that's why I gave this tough one to you experienced guys to chew on.
Honestly, for use in a production scenario I would never have bought the plate because I knew it was gonna be a bitch to wrestle with. However, in this case time and money really isn't a limiting factor because knifemaking is my new hobby and I like a good challenge! I also like to make items with a unique factor to them, and afaik not many are using DC53.
I think a combo of waterjetting and bandsawing will work nicely. I do hope they come out with thinner stock in the future.
Thanks all!
 
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