Welding L6 and 5160

C

custommachineman

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Jan 28, 2009
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I want to make some pattern welded steel. What I have to work with is lief springs and some old large mill band saw blade that I think is L6. Will these work well together?
 
custommachineman said:
I want to make some pattern welded steel. What I have to work with is lief springs and some old large mill band saw blade that I think is L6. Will these work well together?
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well L6 and 5160 are great steels and are what most of my forged blades are made from. but you have 2 things that might be a problem. and those are one, not all leaf springs are 5160 and two not all saw blades are L6. and so you throw that into the mix of trying to get a good weld and it will just make it harder. not saying the steel is not what you think it's just that it's not safe to assume that is what you think it is ether. I mean i got a large round of what i thought was L6 because L6 was whighten on it and it was not L6. so just a word of caution. also you might not get as much contrast with a L6/5160 damascus as you with other mixes. but it would make a great blade as there both very nice steels.
 
Yea JT, I wanted to mention the contrast to. both steels are nearly the same in carbon content, I understand the L6 has nickle in it but I'm uncertain on just how good it would contrastt. Not only that but its been my experiance that 5160 is a pita to forge weld. ESPECIALLY leaf springs. my recomendation would be known L6 or 15n20 combined with O1. Looks and heatreats great.

Jason
 
How can I tell what the steels are. I dont have a known piece of ether steel to compare sparks. What do the sparks look like?
I have used both steels to make knives and they are both good. The band saw blade ones rust easily which I don't like but it might be a clue to what it is.
 
Spark tests aren't the answer here. a spark will look differently in different light conditions so there is no way to know for sure ... cheaply. you could have it analyzed but honestly, the best thing you can do right now is use what you have to practice with. Then when you need some more, go to the For Sale area of our forum and get a hold of Aldo, Tracey Mickley, Barkes, or a few others and get some known steel. Also something else you may want to do is narrow your steel choices. pick a good steel and stick with it. Learn your steel. I have chosen the W series of steels (Mostly W1 and W2) to be my main steel of choice, do to it's economical, ease of heat treatment, and best of all it's really easy to find, you can find some steel @ Fastenal A2, O1, W1, 1050, and if you want to spend some money even 52100 for huge ball bearing balls. Hope this helps.

Jason
 
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