Question for Mete and/or Kevin

peter nap · Dec 15, 2004

This came up on another board the other day. Considering the posts made by Wild Rose yesterday regarding handle fastening, it seems like the right time to look into it here.

The question is: Is there one type of steel that expands and contracts more than another, when heated.

What I'm getting at is using a hollowed steel sleeve that has been heated, to slip over a tang and have a secure fit with no fasteners when cool.

I have used a similar technique on chair rungs. I make the legs from less than fully cured lumber and drill a snug hole for the rung. The rung has a groove and ball turned on the very end. The two are driven together and when the leg dries, it conforms to the shape of the ball and groove. It is impossible to separate the joint without breaking the leg.

Will this work with steel?

peter nap · Dec 15, 2004

Never mind, I found it.
If any one is interested it is:

Steel= 6 parts per million per 1 Degree F
SS=9 parts per million per 1 Degree F
Aluminum= 13 parts per million per 1 Degree F

So it looks like a viable way to secure certain types of handles. Time to get out the torch.

peter nap · Dec 15, 2004

I just tried it in between telephone calls. I wish all my ideas worked that well. It's as secure as if I had silver soldered it in.

Doc Hollywood · Dec 15, 2004

PICTURES! PICTURES! We demand pictures! LOL

I think I understand what you are talking about, but would like to see it if you don't mind posting the pics

Doc

peter nap · Dec 15, 2004

OK Doc. I'll make something a little more photogenic than two pieces of steel stuck together, and post them.

Just think of Steel, heat shrink tube......sort of

mete · Dec 15, 2004

There are different types of "fit"between two pieces of metal .There is a friction fit and there is a shrink fit. The shrink fit is made so that it has to be heated [the outer piece] for it to slide over the inner piece. Then it cools and shrinks and holds VERY tightly.

indian george · Dec 15, 2004

peter nap said:
OK Doc. I'll make something a little more photogenic than two pieces of steel stuck together, and post them.

Just think of Steel, heat shrink tube......sort of

Don: I can't remember the last time you posted a pic of your work.

peter nap · Dec 15, 2004

It's too ugly George and this one isn't any better.

OK Doc, I don't have time to make a knife this morning so I Made a knife like object for the picture :barf:

The Idea is to have a permanent attachment to the tang without welding, soldering or adhesives.

This would be ideal for something like a coffin handle Bowie.

For this, I decided to put a big fat tang on after putting a .58 cal lead ball on for a guard.....What do you want on short notice :footinmou

Anyway, I drilled the big fat tang and ground the stick tang slightly oversize. I heated the big fat tang and tapped it over the oversize little tang.

I dunked it and it is stuck. Make sure you grind a few small dips in the little tang so the fat tang has something to grab.