wrought iron help needed

rocketmann

rocketmann

Joined
Dec 24, 2005
Messages
1,254
I was lucky enough to pick up 12 ft of what I believe to be wrought iron chain the links are about 6in long and 1in thick.. I sanded it to 600 grit and then tried etching it in f/c to see the grain, I did this several times, a few times I did see a grain pattern but it rubbed off with 0000 steel wool...After the etching I noticed that the iron now has a grain to it much like wood.. I am looking for the dark/light bands that I have seen on wrought iron here on B/F..Should I heat it up in the forge to get grain growth before etching it again???? I Hope that someone here can give me some tip's...:rolleyes:
 
Just by looking at it I'd say you got yourself a bunch of wrought iron. The one thing I have found out about anchor chain wroght iron is it doesn't have a whole bunch of pattern to it as compaired to wagon wheel but its still good stuff. Its a much better grade of wrought iron than wagon wheel. The longer you etch it the more pattern you should find.
 
Thanks for conferming that it is indeed W/I!! After looking in the archives and in the search it seems that after etching this stuff that I should try a cold blue solution to make the grain show up more...Maybe IG or R/R will give out the secret to how they finish their wrought..:D
 
I just finished a guard from anchor chain wrought and it took seven days in 20% vinegar, that is after an initial two hour dunk in 1:1 FC. I call it coaxing out the grain.
 
Louis: I just etch it in ferric acid. I do this a few times till the desired texture is attain. I also have been bead blasting it after etch.;) If you want to make them into a billet with Bertha this Saturday give me a call. :D
 
W.I exibits many shades and colors when heat is applied. If you polish the surface, etch, then apply the heat, it makes different patterns in the W.I. stand out.
You can get yellow, blue, purple, by applying different amounts of heat for different amounts of time.
You can put ground copper in the etch and it will plate the surface when you etch. You can heat blue over this finnish and get a comination of colors and designs.
W.I. is an all around great material for the knife maker.

Fred
 
thanks for the replies! IG, thanks for the invitation I'll check my calander to see if I'm free.:cool: :thumbup:
 
rocketmann said:
thanks for the replies! IG, thanks for the invitation I'll check my calander to see if I'm free.:cool: :thumbup:
Click to expand...
It's suppose to be a nice day and temp in the mid-50's. I plan on making damascus all day.:D :D
Dave (TickDick) I you read this you could come on down too.
 
Louis: If you come down do the following beforehand.
Cut links into 4th's and weld handles on them. This way it will take less time pressing them out.
Come over early and I'll show you how to get the shop ready for a HI.
When you are pressing out the W/I, I'll be getting Helen ready for the day.
This will allow the press to be free for me to do up two billets.:D
 
On Saturday we will have for lunch BBQ chicken leg quarters.;) The were on sale today for $.49@lb. I got 7 lbs. to cook for us.:eek: :thumbup: :thumbup: Will have coffee and beer to drink.:D
 
Cool! Yeah Ill be there!

Ill be mainly forging so will only need the press for initial knockdown of the round W2 and tangs....
 
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