Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => At the Forge => Topic started by: Mafort on October 06, 2020, 10:56:16 am
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Was looking to make some bronze broadheads for show however I know nothing about the metal other than its tin and copper mixed. So does it work harden or does it need to be tempered? Can the arrowhead actually be used for hunting if i really wanted to? ( I probably won’t but ya know curiosity is a killer) if it work hardens can I simply hammer in a start to the beveled edge and finish with a file?
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Bronze is work hardened. During the bronze age they used it for swords and broad heads. Can't see it not working if built properly. The hammer and file method I think would probably be the route to go with. Be a fun project to play with.
Thanks Leroy
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Whack it, smack it, and make it sharp! There are apparently a great number of bronze arrowheads in the archaeological record in museums. Finding one is the trick! LEt me know!
Hawkdancer
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I've noticed that many bronze pieces have a very pronounced center ridge for reinforcement. Keep that in mind if you start casting.
Broadhead only has to do the job once, so it doesn't have to have the edge retention of a working knife.
Post back if you make a batch. This is something I've pondered doing.
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I'd love to see a design for a simple furnace that could melt bronze.
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the only thing i can add to what was already said is pay attention to the type of bronze you experiment with.
tin bronze is what i think you want for classical style blades and arrow heads, most bronze casters today are using silicon bronze, and there is also arsenic bronze too apparently.
the different types might affect how well or unwell it takes to work hardening.
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I'd love to see a design for a simple furnace that could melt bronze.
its not really different from a gas forge just turned up on end.
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I'd love to see a design for a simple furnace that could melt bronze.
I've melted copper in my vertical propane forge using a crude crucible. Nothing fancy, made from an empty freon tank lined with ceramic wool and powdered by a homemade black pipe venturi burner.
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Here’s a good bronze arrowhead casting video that you might find interesting.
https://youtu.be/qEs354heEHk (f)
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My biggest question is what kind of container can you melt bronze in? I would think at 1700 degrees even cast iron would have issues.
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My biggest question is what kind of container can you melt bronze in? I would think at 1700 degrees even cast iron would have issues.
And issues it has...copper burned though the mild steel vessel I used. Got a couple of melts out of it before the bottom burned out and leaked copper all over the bottom of the forge.
One day I'll get a real crucible and try again.
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For bronze head ideas, the encyclopedias of native american bows and arrows have some bronze heads at least iirc, maybe worth a look for inspiration
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I would think a fired ceramic container would work. Most of them are fired at about 3,000 plus degrees.
Hawkdancer
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My stoneware is fired to about 2200 degrees, but is fairly cool compared to some other ceramics. I think the problem with ceramic is that it would insulate the copper to well, or it would crack from rapid or uneven heating.
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The video showed a fire brick with a depression chipped into it with a pour trough. Might be able to find a reasonable crucible at an art supply shop close to a university.
Hawkdancer
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Both brass and bronze work harden. If it's got too hard to work and you need to soften it, heat to red heat and immediately quench. It responds in the opposite way to quenching to steel, which hardens with rapid quenching.
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Learn something new every day! I was wondering about heating with an acetylene torch, don't have one, though.
Hawkdancer