billyO
Well-Known Member
Hello all. I think it's time for me to make some squaring dies for the 25-ton Coal IronWorks press I have access to, and a couple of questions come to mind.
I was planning on making dies 4-6" long thinking I would be able to set more of the weld at once, but a search shows that Ed previously posted in: https://knifedogs.com/threads/questions-about-canister-damascus.51061/
Should I forge in the diamonds or cut/grind them?
Or should I use angle iron? Other than speed in fabricating, is there any benefit to using angle iron instead of solid stock? I know to reinforce the angle iron when welding so they don't collapse in use if I go this way.
Finally, when you guys are doing canisters, would it help to have a flattening/drawing spot in the same dies?
Thank you and stay safe.
I was planning on making dies 4-6" long thinking I would be able to set more of the weld at once, but a search shows that Ed previously posted in: https://knifedogs.com/threads/questions-about-canister-damascus.51061/
...so I'm thinking about heading to the local steel yard and look for scraps of 3" square, and making 2-3 diamonds. Any suggestions on starting sizes of the diamonds for cans that will yield nakiri/chef knife sized billets?It's FAR better to have squaring dies that are only 2-3" long, and take "bits"........
Should I forge in the diamonds or cut/grind them?
Or should I use angle iron? Other than speed in fabricating, is there any benefit to using angle iron instead of solid stock? I know to reinforce the angle iron when welding so they don't collapse in use if I go this way.
Finally, when you guys are doing canisters, would it help to have a flattening/drawing spot in the same dies?
Thank you and stay safe.