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Scrounger Training : Identifying Metals
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Metal is precious and finding the right metal for the project is important.
Places you can find metal of use:
copper- electical wire, pennys, pipe, electrik motors
tool steel - files and drill bits
steel - rail spikes and cars
soft steel - rebar
aluminum - boats and boat motors
brass - bullet shell case
iron - cast iron (iron that has been melted down and cast)
lead- tire weights and fishing weights
There are many ways to work with metal but heating it up to shape it is the best. You can everything from a cuting torch to a camp fire to heat metal. DANGER: some metals release toxic fumes do not heat up galvinised or stainless steel it can kill you. I use a forge that burns scrap wood to heat my metal up. I use a 1lb hammer for all my work because its all i can afford. Its nice to have a helper to shape swords faster. give them a 10lb demo hammer and tell them to hit in the same spot you do. when its time to put it back in the fire hit the anvil as a signle to stop. Its better to use signles then voice because its faster and you wont hear each other from your ears ringing. I use 2 fires one is just coals for heating then the one next to it is to make coals and draw in air to "fan" the coals to make them hoter. I dont use a blower because its loude and burns the wood faster. it does make the fire hoter but also burns faster. now if you are going to make lots of things at once useing the same fire then a blower is a good idea.
anvils can be made out of rail due to its tempered serface. it isnt the best but iv been useing one for all my work and i prefer it for shapeing my blanks.
More to come -
Metal is precious and finding the right metal for the project is important.
Places you can find metal of use:
copper- electical wire, pennys, pipe, electrik motors
tool steel - files and drill bits
steel - rail spikes and cars
soft steel - rebar
aluminum - boats and boat motors
brass - bullet shell case
iron - cast iron (iron that has been melted down and cast)
lead- tire weights and fishing weights
There are many ways to work with metal but heating it up to shape it is the best. You can everything from a cuting torch to a camp fire to heat metal. DANGER: some metals release toxic fumes do not heat up galvinised or stainless steel it can kill you. I use a forge that burns scrap wood to heat my metal up. I use a 1lb hammer for all my work because its all i can afford. Its nice to have a helper to shape swords faster. give them a 10lb demo hammer and tell them to hit in the same spot you do. when its time to put it back in the fire hit the anvil as a signle to stop. Its better to use signles then voice because its faster and you wont hear each other from your ears ringing. I use 2 fires one is just coals for heating then the one next to it is to make coals and draw in air to "fan" the coals to make them hoter. I dont use a blower because its loude and burns the wood faster. it does make the fire hoter but also burns faster. now if you are going to make lots of things at once useing the same fire then a blower is a good idea.
anvils can be made out of rail due to its tempered serface. it isnt the best but iv been useing one for all my work and i prefer it for shapeing my blanks.
More to come -
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| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
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| worldglobe | A word about metal working | 4 | Jun 28 2010, 9:52 AM EDT by Filadog | ||
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Thread started: Nov 19 2009, 7:44 PM EST
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I thought I'd add a small section about metal working as well. This only applies to those who have settled down in a fort
Where I live there's a place called 'Heritage Park' which is basically a bunch of buildings and demonstrations from around the depression era. I got a summer job with the black smith there. In hindsight it was kind of boring cause all I could do was burn the coal, get the furnace to a suitable temperature and do basic prep work for making horseshoes for an audience. However I did get some knowledge of that escapade and here is some of it: Coal Burning: Coal is the best material for heating metals. It burn's hot and for a long time, and comparing it to wood is like comparing a Ferrari to a ford 460 engine on a rusty frame. Not only is coal better burning, but a lot less useful material (like wood) is diverted from other projects. Beware when burning coke, (the main product of coal (it is a fuel for burning)) it releases selenium, dangerous to fish and animal life. Basic Prep work: Note: This method is for working with metal rods. Once you have your furnace to a suitable temperature (roughly a roaring fire with the presence of blue and white flames) you want to slowly heat your metal. If you heat it too fast it will become brittle and the resulting product is bad. Once the metal is cherry red, remove it from heat with tongs and move it quickly to the anvil. Bring out your hammer and bend the metal at suitable point. For Horseshoes A bend about 3/8 ,and 5/8 along the metal. This will bend it approximately the suitable amount Much more I couldn't tell you but that's what I know. P.S. I would recommend using moulds to metal work. Its not that useful in the short run but its definitely better for mass production and simplicity. |
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