|
Post by oos3thoo on Jun 13, 2008 22:32:48 GMT
I got myself and old leaf spring and plan to make my own backyard forge using half a barrel, coal and an electric fan. Is it possible to cut the leaf spring in half as it is? It is pretty big.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2008 1:10:25 GMT
an angle grinder with cut off wheels. or u could heat it up where u want to cut it then take a hatchet and a hammer putting the hatchet blade on the red hot steel and hitting the back of it with ur hammer
|
|
|
Post by oos3thoo on Jun 14, 2008 3:17:47 GMT
I never heard of that one before! I shall give it a try!
|
|
|
Post by Matt993f.o.d on Jun 14, 2008 17:34:52 GMT
Just hope your hatchet isnt heat treated, or the heat from the workpiece will draw back the hardness of the edge and it will cease to be a useable hatchet, and you'll get yelled at by its owner!
Just do it with the angle grinder.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2008 18:10:36 GMT
well hes got a forge he can re heat treat it....or he can just use an angle grinder.
|
|
|
Post by Matt993f.o.d on Jun 14, 2008 23:07:24 GMT
So can we all agree that the grinder is the way to go?!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2008 23:47:47 GMT
that was my first suggestion! the axe thing was an effect alternative but yes angle grinder is the way to go and if u dont already have one ur gunna need one no matter what.
|
|
|
Post by oos3thoo on Jun 16, 2008 17:36:06 GMT
I figured so... And they are typically around 50$ right?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2008 18:28:38 GMT
heck no....well the really good ones are but mine was on sale and i got it for 10 bucks at menards.
|
|
|
Post by Matt993f.o.d on Jun 16, 2008 19:51:01 GMT
Oh christ!
Spend a bit more than fifty bucks, guys! You want a big, tough, manly tool! Not a toy!
Seriously, you may not like it, but spend a lot of money on your tools and you will be rewarded with a much more satisfying purchase, that will give you much better service, will last longer and will probably be more efficient.
If you can't afford it, save up.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2008 1:32:14 GMT
no offence matt but more money does not always mean better. my lil angle grinder works great.
|
|
|
Post by oos3thoo on Jun 17, 2008 4:46:40 GMT
And a more expensive one would work a lot better. Sadly, more you spend is usually the more you get. I found out through experience... Unfortunately...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2008 9:22:37 GMT
I settle for half arsed tools, you have to spend at least a good $100 to get anything approaching quality.
Dark: Your angle grinder may be good but a more expensive one is probably better and you wouldn't know the difference until you tried it.
|
|
|
Post by Brendan Olszowy on Jun 17, 2008 11:49:50 GMT
Seth o', are you going to anneal your spring? It'll be way easier to straighten and work. It's easy to do. Heat tretaing is fun too. My 2c on Angle Grinders. I'm on to about my 6th one now. It's not that bad coz I get most of them replaced under warranty (hahahhaa > . The thing that wrecks them every time is cutting steel with cutoff wheels. I have them die after about 40 minutes on cutting wheels - a $18 jobbie. However I've also had $18 ones run about 40 HOURS grinding, only to die cutting. I've also just destroyed a $60 4" grinder (again on cutoff wheels). Lesson - cutting kills. It's usually the gear on the driveshaft that strips for some reason. I need a plasma cutter... I traded the last 4" in on a 5" and am so stoked. It's SO much faster to grind a bevel. Though beginers be aware it's also going to be so much easier to wreck your job (only takes a split second). My advice: *$15 grinder is fine - can get it replaced on warranty. Minimise cutting. *Use a $15 4" for at least your first 3 or 4 blades. Then get a $80 5" and rip it up.
|
|
|
Post by Matt993f.o.d on Jun 17, 2008 19:59:45 GMT
I have a hundred and fifty pound (about 250 dollar) angle grinder that has given six years of consistant, reliable service, cutting anything from thin sheet to torsion bars, leaf springs and even whole car bodies!
Pay a lot, get a lot, when it comes to tools.
|
|
|
Post by oos3thoo on Jun 17, 2008 21:23:13 GMT
Seth o', are you going to anneal your spring? It'll be way easier to straighten and work. It's easy to do. Heat tretaing is fun too. My 2c on Angle Grinders. I'm on to about my 6th one now. It's not that bad coz I get most of them replaced under warranty (hahahhaa > . The thing that wrecks them every time is cutting steel with cutoff wheels. I have them die after about 40 minutes on cutting wheels - a $18 jobbie. However I've also had $18 ones run about 40 HOURS grinding, only to die cutting. I've also just destroyed a $60 4" grinder (again on cutoff wheels). Lesson - cutting kills. It's usually the gear on the driveshaft that strips for some reason. I need a plasma cutter... I traded the last 4" in on a 5" and am so stoked. It's SO much faster to grind a bevel. Though beginers be aware it's also going to be so much easier to wreck your job (only takes a split second). My advice: *$15 grinder is fine - can get it replaced on warranty. Minimise cutting. *Use a $15 4" for at least your first 3 or 4 blades. Then get a $80 5" and rip it up. Yea, I am gonna anneal it first. I look forward to heat treating.
|
|
|
Post by Brendan Olszowy on Jun 18, 2008 1:56:38 GMT
I hope so Matt. I've seen angle grinders well over the $300 mark. But I still want a plasma cutter...
|
|
|
Post by Brendan Olszowy on Jun 18, 2008 2:02:14 GMT
I look forward to heat treating. Just make sure you have the opening credits theme from Conan the Barbarian playing when you do. But don't quench in snow.
|
|
|
Post by oos3thoo on Jun 18, 2008 4:09:41 GMT
How about brine? I mean for 9260?
|
|
|
Post by Matt993f.o.d on Jun 18, 2008 18:09:20 GMT
Water or oil.
I have a plasma cutter! It doesnt get much use. Too heavy on electricity. Makes my bill go through the roof. Cool to have, though.
|
|