Main Discussion Area > At the Forge
Quality of lawn mower blade?
Pat B:
I made a few knives a couple of years ago from lawn edger blades I got from Lowes. I got 2 knives from each blade. I've often wondered about lawn mower blades.
Morgan:
--- Quote from: paulc on September 20, 2021, 09:06:49 pm ---Dispite lurking on this board for years I really still don't understand the basics of forging.....how do I invest the least amount of very limited time to determine if these are worth investing more time....
Thanks, Paul
--- End quote ---
With your cutoff wheel, cut a couple or three pieces 1/2” x whatever the width of the blade is. Heat to a little past non magnetic and quench in salt water. If it skates a sharp file you can harden it. Then try a quench in canola oil or the like. If it still skates a file, you can use a quench slower and less violent than salt water. From there you have to experiment with temper temperatures and times.
Don W:
--- Quote from: paulc on September 20, 2021, 09:06:49 pm ---Dispite lurking on this board for years I really still don't understand the basics of forging.....how do I invest the least amount of very limited time to determine if these are worth investing more time....
Thanks, Paul
--- End quote ---
You could always go ahead and make a knife blade. Harden it Like Morgan mentioned. If it fails, turn it into a nice letter opener. The nice thing about heat treating, if it fails once, just try again.
KHalverson:
--- Quote from: paulc on September 20, 2021, 09:06:49 pm ---Dispite lurking on this board for years I really still don't understand the basics of forging.....how do I invest the least amount of very limited time to determine if these are worth investing more time....
Thanks, Paul
--- End quote ---
there are always other options.
ima pull an old thread back up.
dont know if yoy have already seen this.
Kevin
Mesophilic:
You can also try a snap test. I'm mentioning it because some beginners reading along might not be sure what a skating file should feel and sound like.
Cut a strip of steel a couple inches long. Heat treat it but don't temper. Clamp in a vice and give it a whack with a hammer. If it bends...not going to work as cutlery. It should snap or shatter at full hardness.
It also gives you a chance to look at the grain. When it snaps, you want a creamy silver color, like a texture of 600 grit or better sandpaper. If you have large grains that look 50 grit, you'll want to refine your soak time and temperature, maybe take a look at your quench as well.
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