Working Titanium

S

shootz

Joined
Apr 3, 1999
Messages
674
Sorry if is an old question but,

How is it to work titanium. I have a 1/16 piece of 6/4, It's hard. I've drilled and tapped the liners on an AFCK, I guess it's also 6/4.

I'd like to try some bolsters out of CP2 if that's right for the job. I heard it's quite a bit softer than 6/4.

Rich
 
This might be better in the Shop Talk. My experience with Ti is that it's a pain to work with. Drilling and Tapping was tough, and I burned a few bits. Cutting by hand was extremely tedious. If you know you have the right tools for the job, it shouldn't be too bad.

~Mitch

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My Hobby Page
 
shootz,
I am moving this to Shop Talk and leaving it open here.

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" The real art of living is too keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post.
In memory of James Mattis
 
shootz, I use Titanium all the time for my liners etc and have no problems. I drill it at a slow speed and use cheap HSS drill's. I tap it with no problem via a hand held Skill twist drill with a chuck on the end. It has the correct tourque and after like 30 folders I have only broke 1 tap. I use 1-72's. I learned this trick from one of my mentors, Kit Carson.
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Here is some Ti info I grapped from another web site since he's alot smarter than me!
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6AL4V: This is a strong lightweight alloy that can be anodized many different colors. It is also known as 6-4.

6242: This alloy is part of the 6AL4V family. It is used in high temperature areas where 6AL4V would fail. It anodizes like
6AL4V but breaks when bent at sharp angles. In my opinion it is slightly stiffer than 6AL4V but it grinds easier and
polishes better. Every knifemaker who has purchased 6242 likes it.

CP: Commercially pure titanium. It is much softer than 6AL4V. Some people say it is gummy when machined. When
anodized it does not have as many colors as 6AL4V. It would not be good material for liner locks but would be OK for
friction folders or lockbacks.

Enjoy!
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Mitch, you are correct. Just found his web page the last few days and will be giving him an order soon.
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Thanks everyone. Boy Chucks got some site.

I just got a 6ft piece of 6061 today. That will last a while.

Rich

double bolster BM axis next
 
Shootz,
I hope you know that 6061 is an aluminum alloy, not titanium. It will be MUCH easier to work...but being easier to work, means it isn't as "tough." You also can't anodize it as easily as Ti. if you were looking to try ano.

~Mitch

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My Hobby Page
 

Sorry should of stated it's aluminum. It's cheap, easy to work and lite weight. Bolsters look great using it

Rich
 
bandsawing ti is a good option...but it burns up your blade pretty fast....I have found the best and cheapest way to cut ti is via friction cutting...using an OLD DULL fine toothed wood bandsaw blade on a WOOD cutting bandsaw.....sails right thru...it does make sparks so get all the wood dust out of the tool first....it also makes a big slag under the cut so you might want to prop the piece up on both sides of the sawblade with something thin......and it cuts via heat, so you cant stop....or the heat will harden the spot where you have stopped and make it difficult to continue...pretty easy really....sure beats using $40 DoAll blades on my metal cutting bandsaw....have also found that Norton Hogger belts are the very best for grinding it....the stuff I use is a LOT thicker that most people are using for liners etc and I had to find some better methods.....you can cut .040 and .050 with a butter knife in comparison.

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
Tom, I'm glad you figured out which belt works best. I started with silicon carbide and in about five seconds the grit was gone! Then I tried zirconia and they were better. I then bought some ceramic belts and they work the best so far.

If anyone wants a blade cut from ti make a template and send it to me. I will trace the template with my plasma cutter. Make the template 1/8" too small in each dimension and the blade will end up 1/16" oversize in each dimension and you can grind to shape.

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Chuck Bybee
titanium.man@gte.net
http://www.titanium-man.com
 
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