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Thread: Home-made steel tools

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
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    Red face Home-made steel tools

    Hello forum, just wondered, for chasing and repousse I want to file some straight line making tools and slightly curved... I think I can buy steel rods and then file the end that I want. Any ideas? Is that the best way? I have been taught that way and also I think I can just buy the pieces of steel from cooksons, at least I think its steel I need... Is it steel? Thanks in advance...

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
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    South Australia
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    You need a carbon steel, or silver steel, this will allow you to harden the end and make it last longer.
    such as here https://www.cromwell.co.uk/shop/mate...r-steel/160205, (I don't know any thing about this company Just an example)

  3. #3
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  4. #4
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    Aug 2010
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    England
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    I made most of my chasing and line tools using silver steel and sometimes old broken files. The last silver steel rods I bought from here; https://www.ekpsupplies.com/silversteel.html ,I cut each length of rod into three punch lengths then I shape the ends before hardening and tempering the shaped tools.

    James

  5. #5
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    Jul 2009
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    Romsey
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    Quote Originally Posted by china View Post
    (I don't know any thing about this company Just an example)
    They're one I use extensively (although usually for bigger things than jewellery).

  6. #6
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    Mar 2020
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    James, Just wondered how you harden and temper them afterward, and can I use a regular file to shape the end of silver steel? Also if I cut it into three, do I do that with a regular jewellery saw?

    Eva

  7. #7
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    Aug 2010
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    England
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    Eva, First I cut the silver steel rods using a piercing saw, I use regular files to shape the ends of my tools, to harden and temper the punch I use my blowtorch to heat the working end to a red hot and then quench in water, then I use emery paper to clean off any fire scale from the tool's end, then I use a fine flame on my blowtorch and heat the tool just below the tip and then the steel starts to colour alongside where the flame is, when I see a light straw colour appear at the top of the tool I quench it again in water. The tool is now tempered.

    This photo sheet is one I prepared showing how I harden and temper a scorper for use, this is the same method I used for hardening and tempering my chasing tools. If you can print it out it may be of use to you.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	132 Scorper prep photo sheet.jpg 
Views:	18 
Size:	55.5 KB 
ID:	12506

    James

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Goldsmith View Post
    Eva, First I cut the silver steel rods using a piercing saw, I use regular files to shape the ends of my tools, to harden and temper the punch I use my blowtorch to heat the working end to a red hot and then quench in water, then I use emery paper to clean off any fire scale from the tool's end, then I use a fine flame on my blowtorch and heat the tool just below the tip and then the steel starts to colour alongside where the flame is, when I see a light straw colour appear at the top of the tool I quench it again in water. The tool is now tempered.

    This photo sheet is one I prepared showing how I harden and temper a scorper for use, this is the same method I used for hardening and tempering my chasing tools. If you can print it out it may be of use to you.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	132 Scorper prep photo sheet.jpg 
Views:	18 
Size:	55.5 KB 
ID:	12506

    James
    Thank you very much. Very useful.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
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    34

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    Hi James, nice hot evening and I thought I would make my chasing tools and according to your instructions.. all has gone well i think but maybe not...i couldn't quite get the tempering but I tried a number of times after first making the tip red hot, I realised (if I got it right) that for tempering I use a very light flame and just for about 20-30 seconds and it very lightly turns a straw colour. I quenched it and there was a slight straw colour left. Do you think I should keep trying or, as i am worried about.. have I heated it up to many times! once red hot and about 4 or 5 times past the straw colour until i finally got it... will the tool be useable still? I hope you are doing ok in this heat. Thanks for your print out too.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Central London
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    Hi Eva. Chasing and repussé tools benefit from tempering in that they will keep their shape for longer, but as they are not subsected to great forces, your success is not critical.
    Have a go, and enjoy. Dennis.

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