Sid Wittman Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 I've got quite a few 6ALV4 titanium bars here, thanks to a customer of my old gunsmithing business who owned an aerospace manufacturing company and paid me sometimes in exotic metals instead of cash. I never actually did much with it in the end, gunsmithing wise, as it exhibits basically all the very worst machining traits of every metal there is - combined into one turning it on a lathe is OK, but anything else is a real pain. The bars are 20mm and 30mm diameter IIRC and I'm wondering about forging them into pommels, guards e.t.c Anyone tried this ? Potentially, a government is the most dangerous threat to man's rights: it holds a legal monopoly on the use of physical force against legally disarmed victims Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Miller Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 I looked up the alloy, it's heat treatable and hot workable, but I've honestly never worked with Titanium. A list of some alloys, 6AL-v4 is in the Alpha -Beta type Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid Wittman Posted April 20, 2012 Author Share Posted April 20, 2012 I looked up the alloy, it's heat treatable and hot workable, but I've honestly never worked with Titanium. A list of some alloys, 6AL-v4 is in the Alpha -Beta type I might just slice a piece off a bar ( it's lovely stuff to hacksaw - not ) and see what happens. I'm not going to experiment too hard, it's expensive stuff and if I end up with it cracking or crumbling on the first few tries I'll probably try to sell the bars instead. Potentially, a government is the most dangerous threat to man's rights: it holds a legal monopoly on the use of physical force against legally disarmed victims Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Miller Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 (edited) I would learn how it's hot worked and maybe read some safe handling practices about Titanium, as well. I know it really likes to oxidize and in the wrong form, that could mean metal fire. Something I found on Titanium safety. Edited April 20, 2012 by Tyler Miller Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deker Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 I've forged Ti before. You need to get it blazing hot and put some whup-ass into it, but it'll forge just fine. When it's not moving, get it hotter. It *IS* possible to burn Ti in a coal fire (ask me how I know ), but you have to really be putting a LOT of heat into it. -d Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragoncutlery Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 lathe the bar in to rings thats just one of the things i do with it but forge it no Brandon Sawisch bladesmith eagles may soar but weasels don't get sucked in to jet engines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B Finnigan Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 It's toughness and low density that makes it a bear to machine also makes it a challenge to forge. It doesn't hold heat very well so you will get 2-3 whacks and it will be cool. Due to it's ghastly expense I have forged some into a better size or shape to machine. I have a large stash of .25" plate and have forged some of it down to just over .125 to surface grind to .125. Versus cutting away and wasting half the thickness. And so far I have been unable to melt it in my induction forge. I can get it blazing white hot but no melt. Everything I need to know I learned from the people trapped in my basement. I'm out of my mind but feel free to leave a message. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bret Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 (edited) Never forged it but I have machined it for years. Keep your tool cool and lubed, and never try to "skim it". Take a good bite. It workhardens as you machine it so you want to keep your tool under the hard skin that develops as you cut it. If you keep that in mind it machines very nicely. Feed over speed. Speed hardens it. You want just enough to keep your chipload between .005 and .015. A minor radius on your cutting tool again .005-.015 will keep you from breaking tools. Off topic I know but its pretty cool stuff and not hard to work once you understand it. If you decide to machine it and need advice feel free to msg me Good luck Edited April 22, 2012 by Bret Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid Wittman Posted April 22, 2012 Author Share Posted April 22, 2012 Never forged it but I have machined it for years. Keep your tool cool and lubed, and never try to "skim it". Take a good bite. It workhardens as you machine it so you want to keep your tool under the hard skin that develops as you cut it. If you keep that in mind it machines very nicely. Feed over speed. Speed hardens it. You want just enough to keep your chipload between .005 and .015. A minor radius on your cutting tool again .005-.015 will keep you from breaking tools. Off topic I know but its pretty cool stuff and not hard to work once you understand it. If you decide to machine it and need advice feel free to msg me Good luck Great advice ! thanks - I found it turns OK, it's just every other machining operation which was a pain, tapping most of all. Potentially, a government is the most dangerous threat to man's rights: it holds a legal monopoly on the use of physical force against legally disarmed victims Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragoncutlery Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 ive only ever taped it with small taps and never thought it was hard to tap a bear to grind due to any operation that generates heat hardening up the metal and orange pealing the surface Brandon Sawisch bladesmith eagles may soar but weasels don't get sucked in to jet engines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid Wittman Posted April 23, 2012 Author Share Posted April 23, 2012 It doesn't hold heat very well so you will get 2-3 whacks and it will be cool. Tried forging a flat on the end of a 20mm bar today. You are so right - 3 blows and it's done moving, and the transition is almost instant. Potentially, a government is the most dangerous threat to man's rights: it holds a legal monopoly on the use of physical force against legally disarmed victims Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpotier Posted April 25, 2012 Share Posted April 25, 2012 I have heard of suffering severe headaches from breathing fumes from grinding titanium spacers in making folders.Has anyone experience similar reactions. Sounds dangerous. Thanks for the education of working unfamiliar metals. Timothy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B Finnigan Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 I have heard of suffering severe headaches from breathing fumes from grinding titanium spacers in making folders.Has anyone experience similar reactions. Sounds dangerous. Thanks for the education of working unfamiliar metals. Timothy I have worked with quite a bit of titanium over the years and never had any headaches. It's one of the least irritating metals and is used in jewelry for those with nickle or other sensitivities. It's also used in many different medical implants. Everything I need to know I learned from the people trapped in my basement. I'm out of my mind but feel free to leave a message. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid Wittman Posted April 29, 2012 Author Share Posted April 29, 2012 It's also used in many different medical implants. Tell me about it that stuff is holding my right leg and pelvis together thanks to a cage driver hitting my motorcycle Potentially, a government is the most dangerous threat to man's rights: it holds a legal monopoly on the use of physical force against legally disarmed victims Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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