Setting up shop, may need advice on a few things

Thanks for your input Natlek, that sounds very plausable. I will take that in mind, try and learn from it for next time I give this a try.
 
Here is the video, of the failed ball bearing canister.
For thouse who care to watch it, or scroll thru and maybe throw in a comment on what to do different!

Thanks

 
Second canister trial - 1084 flat bar and thin layers of 440C powder



Still long way to go, but I think my MIG welding have improved a little.
Trying to get a even flow, and follow it with a steady hand.



The flat handle is welded on, indicating how the cannister i build up.
Just marked the sides of the can, so I knew what way to weld the handle on.

This round I will try to let it heat up slowly, to see if I can get it heated more evenly.
Any pointers will be highly appreciated!
 
Whoop whoop nothing smelted or exploded, infact I think I had another somewhat succes today.

Heated up slower, with less pressure on the propane. I think I might still had it a bit too long in the heat, at some point as I was able to see some cracked steel.
After one of the canister lit weldings opend, but I just cut past that with the angle grinder as I freed todays results from it's canister jacket.



The sides had split away just fine from the billet, but the top and bottom I just removed with the angle grinder.
Yeah the grinder slipped a little, but all in all I am surpriced and happy.
I deffently feel I learned from the last attempt, taking the input I got to good use.

 
Last edited:
Natlek said:
Like it ...ten-mai :thumbsup: No balls anymore ? :D
Click to expand...

I think I will let balls be balls for now, it's not like I am throwing anyting away. Just gonna let them mature and age, til they get more tender.
Or just till my muscles get's more used to working the hammer, today was a not nearly as hard work as the first canister.

I only made it 1/3 of the size of the first one, to limit the waste of materials in each failure.
The flat bar also took up alot more room in the can, so it took much less 440C powder to fill up the voids.
Compared to the space between ball bearings, that seemed like a bottomless pit. I had to check if it was spiling tru, my otherwise "expert lvl" bottom weld.

It's gonna be fun trying to move something square, into something long and flat. I have only seen it done on video, and I am kinda afraid that it's gonna be a much more difficult task.
That will require actual hammering skills, moving the metals in the desired direction. Without breaking up the welds, burn the steel or some other unforseen failure.

The canister packing
 
Today I learned that I have to keep stainless, in a canister/oxygen free enviroment thru out the whole forging.
Had pretty good succes with moving the steel, in the direction I wanted without too much distortion.
But the stainless steel ended up, getting burnt really bad, cracked and another fun day learning.


The center, is still looking all right to me.


Might be time to start playing with something else then stainless, and see if I can't find a 15N20 steel powder in the EU somewhere.
If anyone know a supplier within the EU, that sell 15N20 powder, kindly let me know about it.
 
Giving flatbar a try, 5 alternating layers of 1084 and 15N20.

Forgeweld it and if thats a success, then fold it 4 times to make a small 80 layer billet.

Repeat that 5 times, forgeweld thouse together and end out with 400 layers.


Anyway thats the plan on paper!
 
Sweet!
I was going to suggest you try out some regular damascus first, but I didn't want to rain on your parade!

I just bought a bunch of 15n20 and 1084 for the same purpose!
 
A.McPherson said:
Sweet!
I was going to suggest you try out some regular damascus first, but I didn't want to rain on your parade!

I just bought a bunch of 15n20 and 1084 for the same purpose!
Click to expand...

Thank you, it's been a fun learning experiance so far.
The regular damascus seems to be working out so far, it takes a bit of time as Im maybe heating a bit long to make sure I am welding hot enough.
Biggest challenge so far, have been cutting the billet in the middle. 3rd attempt was prolly the worst so far, as I was rushing it a bit.
To get the 3rd weld set, before I had to call it a day as I have neighbors.



But should be ready for tomorrow, to heat up, move out and fold once more. Before I move on to the next one(s), as I am debating if I should juggle two billets.
Or if thats a bit to ambitious, on the other side I could save a bunch of time.
 
Didn't get as much done today, as I did yesterday but everything went as planned.

Moved the 40 layer block out, after removing two weldbeads from the handle.


Folded the "mini" billet a final time, hitting the 80 layers, forgewelded it and moved it out.
Now im taking a break, not sure I will get back at it today.

80-layers.jpg


But now I just need to make another 4 of thouse for my project
 
Been folding metal for the last few days, deffently feeling it in my lower back.
Left lower arm and wrist, from gripping the tong as well.

Better take a rest a day or two, before I continue with the last two mini billets.
I decided to do two billets at once last time, to work one while the other heated up.
The first folds where a bit uncomfy, did I flux and clean this or the other one and such.
After that I just decided, to be relaxed and not stress about anything.
I might ended up fluxing and cleaning, more then needed but so far so good.

3x 80 layer 1084 and 15N20
triple-80.jpg


Two more to go
 
Tossed up a "shed" yesterday, to give me some shade when working.
So far I have been working in full daylight, which I still don't know if it's been good or bad.
I have basicly tried to keep it red, and only work it while red in daylight.

 
Not sure the last two mini billets turned out as well as the first ones, but I still don't know as I only just got done folding them tonight.
It feels good to be "done", tho I still got a fair bit of forging to do. My forarms and left wrist is deffently not feeling as great, as the rest of me thats for sure.

5x-80-layers.jpg
 
Cleaned them up a bit, just gonna toss them in a cup of coffee to see the pattern before I smack em together.



A few small cracks in the end, but haven't noticed anything on the sides.
Nothing that look like it's gonna be a issue, but what do I know this might still fail with glory.
 
Id clean up the surfaces to be welded with an angle grinder or your belt grinder first.

The cleaner your weld surfaces, the more likely you are to not have inclusions and gaps.

Good luck!
 
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