Wagon Wheels to knife parts. Any ideas?

J

J.D.

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Feb 12, 2006
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Where I work, we tore out an old box culvert today and it had wagon wheels in it for reinforcement. This thing was built at least in the 30s maybe before that. Anyway I was looking at the wheels whitch had been straightened out, and I think it may be wrought iron, they break rather easy, and the grain is really coarse, like cast iron would be. Could this be wrought iron? and if so what could be done with it for making hard ware for knives? Would I have to forge it to a flat bar? or just grind it flat? I would like to use it for a guard for a Bowie. I know this is probably a dumb question, but what is the difference in wrought iron and mild steel? I know I have read what it is, but can't remember what wrought iron is.
Does this look like Wrought Iron?
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cut half way through it, and break if it looks fiberous its wrought, if it looks grainy its not, this has always been how i figured it
 
This stuff does bend, but will break after just a few bends, and is coarse grain, or fibrous. It is not cast iron just has the grain appearence of it when it breaks.
 
Oh, I thought you meant it was brittle and broke after a single bend. Sorry, misunderstood.
 
if all else fails for ya, take a hunk clean it off and etch, if it looks good snatch it up
 
thanks guys for the info. atakach, I will do the cut and break and try to take a pic of it and post it, and see what you think it looks like.
 
It does not break clean, I have added pics. of it cut half through and then broke. What do you think?
Thanks to all who have replied.
 
Looks like wraught to me, Use it as a guard then etch with Ferric. IT should look great.
Chris
 
I have a piece of wrought from IG. It looks just like that ("grain" wise). Anyone know what grit to take it to before etch?
 
I do mine either 400 or 600, polish with a buff and some hi white compound, clean then etch. Etch for a minute or two, brush off with an old toothbrush, repeat until you like it.
 
Thanks for the help guys, I thought it might be Wrought but wasn't sure, can't wait to use some on a guard for a Bowie.
 
J.D. said:
Thanks for the help guys, I thought it might be Wrought but wasn't sure, can't wait to use some on a guard for a Bowie.
Click to expand...

Me too if I ever get back in the shop. Thanks for posting the topic, JD!
 
I finish WI just to 400 grit, then etch it, bead blast it, etch and etc. Till I get the desired finish I wanted.;)
 
WI was made in at least three grades - the lowest grade is what is most often encountered and has that coarse, fibrous grain caused by the silicate inclusions - the higher grades have much less/to no inclusions and will have a very fine grain...this looks like higher grade WI to me..........
 
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