Trad Gang

Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: dave hiltz on April 13, 2008, 07:10:00 AM

Title: saw blades
Post by: dave hiltz on April 13, 2008, 07:10:00 AM

I have just got a source of all the steel I could ever need, it is big band saw blades 13" wide and not sure how long because i get them broken the piece I got was over 8' it has teeth on both sides.  What kind of steel do you think that it is?  it is almost 1/8 inch thick.  I have made one knife from it and it seems like it works like 1095?  but I am no expert.  Any info or thoughts would be great. Thanks Dave.

Title: Re: saw blades
Post by: dave hiltz on April 13, 2008, 12:38:00 PM

(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh95/islandlobster/DSC00946-1.jpg)
Here is what the blade looks like, I have cut it up into smaller chunks for storage, but when I got it this piece was just over 8' long.

Title: Re: saw blades
Post by: imskippy on April 13, 2008, 06:29:00 PM

Now thats some steel huh?

Title: Re: saw blades
Post by: Lin Rhea on April 13, 2008, 06:43:00 PM

My guess is L-6. Tougher'n a boot. Good steel. About.075% of carbon.
                           Lin

Title: Re: saw blades
Post by: dave hiltz on April 14, 2008, 05:34:00 AM

I tried to drill holes in it for the pins and there was no way then I heated it to just turn it blue and it was still hard to drill.  Does anyone have suggestions on how and what I need to do to drill is?  Thanks, Dave.

Title: Re: saw blades
Post by: uhdet on April 15, 2008, 02:12:00 AM

Get it cherry red where you want to drill the pins or use a grinder and grind a hole about a 1/4" in diameter.

Title: Re: saw blades
Post by: Lin Rhea on April 15, 2008, 06:20:00 AM

Dave,
        When it gets red, stick it in some lime or wood ashes for a little while letting it cool slowly, this should soften for drilling. If you let L-6 air cool, it will tend to harden back up again. The alloys do this.
                                 Lin