Would This Work?

H

heart_hammer

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Apr 3, 2015
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I work for a Ford supplier. They send us empty baskets and we send them back full of parts. One particular occasion, they mistakenly sent a basket back with 4 sway bars. Initially I thought they were some form of brush guard but the weight seemed excessive. I cut 1 down last weekend. It dulled 2 sawzall blades and only went a 1/8". I switched to a cut off wheel and finally got through it. The cut off wheel made no scorch marks or discoloration at all. When the bar hit the ground it rang for a solid 10 secs.
My question is this...
I assume many here have a better idea than I what type of steel these are made of. So what type of steel am i looking at and what is the best means of forging it?
 
Knives are made to be rather hard and reasonably tough. They are not made to take great bends and twists. The steel used to make knives is alloyed for these needs.

The torsion/sway bars on a car are made to be moderately hard and take great stress and twist. The steel used to make them is alloyed for these needs.

Knives and sway bars have different needs and different steels.
 
Well if it was as tough as some of the swaybars I've cut there's a good possibility it is 3V. I've made some real nice CHOPPERS! Great for knotty wood and rock wood. Stays sharp and real tough! If you don't want I'll take it.
 
I would forge it and see what it turns out like. If it's free and you need the practice then alls your out is some propane and a fun afternoon.
 
Well after skimming through 20+ hot rod forums the general consensus seems to be either 4130 or 4140, 1045 and 5160 were mentioned a couple time
 
I got some cut offs from a guy that works at an off-road suspension joint and I had him call their United States supplier and they verified 5160. He gave me a 5 gallon bucket of 2-5inxh pieces
 
viral said:
I got some cut offs from a guy that works at an off-road suspension joint and I had him call their United States supplier and they verified 5160. He gave me a 5 gallon bucket of 2-5inxh pieces
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That's the answer to all similar questions.


Get in touch with the supplier and get a certificate.
 
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