Telephone Co. Scrap Metal??

[Aiko555]

I just returned from dumpster diving at the local telephone company repair HQ. I got a bunch of not too rusty pole bolts (the things the guys climb up the pole on) and 12 ft of 7 strand cable (with orange paint marks every few feet). I left behind anchors and all kinds of other hardware.

I have read that some cables are zinc coated and not good for cable damascus. Does anyone have any ideas about the steel in the bolts or the cable? Any ex telephone company guys out there who forge? There was a whole bunch of metal over there.

Thanks,

PJG

 

[peter nap]

I expect it is coated also. It may be good steel though so....hold your breath, burn it off, harden it and see what it's like!

 

[Aiko555]

Should I burn it off with a torch or in my forge??