Probably a stupid question

W

Way-Barney

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Jun 4, 2023
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Does anyone know what type or specification of steel is used in a fork lift truck fork?

I ask because three pairs went through the auction today at $20 a pair, In my mind I thought that is a lot of steel for not much money. I would have thought its hardened in some way to prevent excess wear.
 
I have always read it can make a pretty darn good anvil, but not sure of the type.
 
Good Idea,

I had thought of hammer heads or axes and bases for jigs and fixtures, anything where a big lump of metal would be needed.

Obviously it depends on what type they are generally manufactured from.
 
Lots of folks use it for a post anvil, as well as building material for shop equipment. It would be fine for hammers and such.
The normal guesses are 4140 or 4130, 8620, Carbon steel, High Carbon steel???

You could use it for an axe/hawk by welding in the bit.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Lots of folks use it for a post anvil, as well as building material for shop equipment. It would be fine for hammers and such.
The normal guesses are 4140 or 4130, 8620, Carbon steel, High Carbon steel???

You could use it for an axe/hawk by welding in the bit.
Click to expand...
Another idea was to use it to make a set of cold chisels for the Anvil, the hardy holes on Mine are 1 1/2" and you dont see much knocking about in that size. 4140 or 4340 would be ideal. I will get them next month, still kicking myself. I will send a bit off and get it tested so I know exactly how good the steel is.
 
Grumpy Old Man said:
How about you make a couple of prototype knives from that steel and send them to JOE X to "test" 🥹
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who is joe X?

12345678910 said:
Resell them as forklift tines, buy new steel.
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They probably failed an inspection, it would be very foolish and dangerous to try to sell second hand forks for re-use and it would be a complete nincompoop who bought a pair second hand for a truck, that's why they were probably for sale.
 
Another "possible" use is die's for power presses or power hammers. Why oh why didn't I buy them. I could kick my own arse.
 
Way-Barney said:
who is joe X?


They probably failed an inspection, it would be very foolish and dangerous to try to sell second hand forks for re-use and it would be a complete nincompoop who bought a pair second hand for a truck, that's why they were probably for sale.
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Farmers
 
Well now, it must be my lucky day, when I went over to collect the leg vice a set of the forks had not sold. :)

My new friend, the site manager, sold them to me for $15 Yippeeeeee.
 
If you go over to YouTube and search "trust me I'm a blacksmith" you will find Daniel Moss videos and he talks about lift truck tines and uses it for quite a few things. I don't remember specific videos but his videos are pretty entertaining so it's fun just listening.
 
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