Steel for Hawk

G

Gib Guignard

Joined
Jul 8, 2001
Messages
849
I am fixen to forge my first hawk. The plan is to use
5160, in doing reserch I find that 1060, 6150 are both
used these sreels have about the same carbon content.
The forgings will be zone hardened. Is there any
thing I am missing, how well will this work, is there
a better steel? Thanks Gib
 
There was a time in my career that I used 5160 for hawks. These I made by the "wrapped eye" method, where I folder over a chunk of 5160 and welded it to itself, and then drifted the eye to shape. It will work fine, but I ran into the problem of after prolonged rough use either the eye would start to split open, or the edge would start to split. Now keep in mind that this occurred under EXTREME hard use conditions. However, it promted me to change my style of producing hawks. Now I use A-36 hot roll for the bodies, with a punched eye, and a bit of either 1084 or "dump rake" tooth for the edge. So far I've had no reported probelms with this type of hawk, and if I ever do, will search for another method to increase durability.
 
Ed, Thanks for the info what I was planing on doing
was to use the punched eye method then forge the
rest of the hawk making it all one piece is there
a good reason for not doing it this way Gib
 
I think that's a great way to do it! I've just never found any 5160 in a dimension I could do it with. If you've found a size suitable, I'd sure like to get my hands on some!(3/4" X 1", or 3/4" X 1 1/2")
I don't think there would be any problems witht the 5160 and that method, just make sure everthing is annealed except the edge. (edge harden it).
 
Ed, What I have is a truck spring that is 13/16x 23/4
then split it with a tourch. Till I get it down pat I
will recycle. I get my 5160 from a spring shop in
Phoenix. From what I have seen them working on I think
I can get new bars there, also try truck shops, This
shop has told me thay will cut to length. You can also
try a Caterpiller Dealer thay have some hevy dutey
springs Gib
 
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