|
|
Post by feral on Sept 19, 2013 11:37:35 GMT
I'm not actually entirely sure of the chemical composition of the bronze I have. I know it's not silicone bronze though or it would have cost more. We have a local metal scrapyard and I got my bronze from there. It is a type that is for some kind of industrial application and the particular scrap that I'm melting down is a large, heavy, hollowed out cylinder. Basically like a piece of six inch pipe except that it's machined and has walls over an inch thick. When I started this project a couple of weeks ago I figured that anyone buying a bronze sword would probably not actually be using it but now I'm beginning to question that assumption.  |
|
|
|
Post by jlwilliams on Sept 19, 2013 12:07:01 GMT
I saw a few bronze pieces at Higgins Armory earlier this summer. They are closing this year and giving the collection to an art museum near by. If you can get to Massachusetts soon it's well worth the trip.
I have no doubt they would arrange a private showing for a modest donation. They need the dough.
|
|
|
|
Post by feral on Sept 19, 2013 12:11:17 GMT
Lol, I'm an art student. It's definitely not in my budget to travel 900 miles OR make any kind of donation. It's hard enough to pay for things like rent, food, and fuel.
|
|
|
|
Post by WEWolf on Sept 19, 2013 18:09:29 GMT
Feral, that carving is lovely. You're going to produce a wonderful sword.
|
|
Luka
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,848
|
Post by Luka on Sept 19, 2013 23:02:56 GMT
New, female Jake Powning.  Btw, these swords will be beautiful, shame they will not be really functional. |
|
|
|
Post by feral on Sept 20, 2013 0:42:49 GMT
I've already decided to do at least one with a 5160 blade for myself.
|
|
|
|
Post by john570 on Sept 20, 2013 3:52:24 GMT
I must say your design is dead on what I'm looking for. What are you using for the molds? I tryed making a copy of the ice man axe when I was like fifteen.
|
|
|
|
Post by feral on Sept 20, 2013 5:01:42 GMT
I'm going to make a 2-part plaster mold of the wooden sword to pour wax copies with. The wax copies will be invested in Ludo molds (a mixture of plaster, sand, and old pulverized molds) and then baked in a burnout kiln to get rid of the wax and heat and harden the molds for pouring. Also, did a little more work on it today. I removed more mass from the pommel and made it a more correct shape by comparing it to the photo of the original.   |
|
|
|
Post by freq on Sept 20, 2013 5:18:09 GMT
im super impressed with the wood sword cant wait to see finished product :shock:
|
|
|
|
Post by john570 on Sept 20, 2013 10:19:58 GMT
Do you think you can make functional versions? I like what I'm seeing so far.
|
|
bpogue
Manufacturer/Vendor
Posts: 354
|
Post by bpogue on Sept 20, 2013 14:02:49 GMT
Hey Feral,
A few years ago at the Blade Show in Atlanta there was a vendor with a number of original bronze swords and other items on display. I don't recall if they were there this year I didn't get to leave the booth all that much.
Blake
|
|
|
|
Post by feral on Sept 21, 2013 11:42:48 GMT
I just really don't consider bronze functional as a blade material, even if it IS tin bronze. I'm going to say screw historical accuracy at least once and put a 5160 blade on one though.
|
|
|
|
Post by william m on Sept 21, 2013 12:01:10 GMT
Well I think if bronze was considered the equal to early iron swords it should be given respect, especially considering how long bronze swords were used for.
|
|
|
|
Post by feral on Sept 21, 2013 12:51:04 GMT
Not THAT much respect. Plain iron as a blade material is kind of horrible.
|
|
|
|
Post by john570 on Sept 24, 2013 18:50:13 GMT
Are you gonna peen the 5160 blade?
|
|
|
|
Post by feral on Sept 24, 2013 19:56:14 GMT
Yeah
|
|
|
|
Post by john570 on Sept 24, 2013 21:31:10 GMT
How much would you charge for the steel version and are you gonna do the heat treat or out source it?
|
|
|
|
Post by feral on Sept 25, 2013 3:22:42 GMT
I haven't figured that part out yet. I'll have to see how long it takes to do the grinding and all, and I'm planning to do the heat treating and all myself. I need to get a rig set up anyway so I can actually make a go at doing some real work.
|
|
|
|
Post by john570 on Sept 25, 2013 19:35:37 GMT
I look forward to seeing the progress. I'm sure I'll be ordering something from you.
|
|
|
|
Post by feral on Nov 25, 2013 5:56:13 GMT
|
|
Btw, these swords will be beautiful, shame they will not be really functional.
