| Author | Message | ||
| Jim Laney (Jimlaney)
New member Username: Jimlaney Post Number: 1 Registered: 7-2012 |
I work in mild steel, bronze, copper and stone (limestone and Alabama marble). I want to make some good hand chisels for carving marble. My blacksmithing skills are beginner level with more classes than practice in my shop. I have a 2 burner gas forge. What steel should I use and should I harden the cutting ends ? | ||
| Dick Nietfeld (Shady_grove_blacksmith_shop)
New member Username: Shady_grove_blacksmith_shop Post Number: 60 Registered: 4-2007 |
In the old days, these chisels would have been made of 1095 or possibly 1080. If you use that, you would heat treat them by heating the tips to non magnetic and quench them in water. Then reheat the tips to bronze or light blue, let cool, and try them. If too hard make them harder, if too soft make them softer in the tempering process. You can see a tempering color chart on http://www.blksmth.com/heat_colors.htm. In this modern age, you can make them of all kinds of alloy steel. Air hardening such as A1 or oil hardening such as automotive springs like 5160. You can scrounge for used steel, or buy new from steel supply houses. There is also a heat treating chart at http://www.blksmth.com/heat_treat_guide.htm Hope this helps, Dick | ||
| Francis Cole (Trez)
New member Username: Trez Post Number: 78 Registered: 3-2007 |
in the book the complete modern blacksmith there is a section on stone chisels it is a good reference book to have. he recommended 5160 old springs. | ||
| Jim Laney (Jimlaney)
New member Username: Jimlaney Post Number: 2 Registered: 7-2012 |
I do have a copy of Complete Modern Blacksmith. Thanks to both of you for your help. |
