AusVarmint

Camel said i should put this here and Mick 7.62 agreed so here it is.
I have been going to make a knife for a while and got hold of some 12c27 to do the job.
Before starting though i noticed in my Dad's stash he had everything i needed to make a Damascus blade instead.
Trouble was he would not let me use any of his forge/furnaces as the borax (flux) needed when using a gas furnace eats away the refractory and his oil furnace is not running at the moment.
No problem he has everything i need to make another forge so aside from time it will not cost me anything to make.
With a 12yo, 3yo and 35 week pregnant wife progress will be slow.

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So far

Cut up 18kg gas bottle and bloked off ends with plate to have doorways cut.
I have no desire to make huge knives but need something big enough to handle 10 layers of mixed 15n20 and 1084
Ends need to be removable to set up burners and install/ replace refractory. Hopefully before weekend i can install refractory and heat it up to set.
Progress so far.

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For anyone wondering, yes i nees access to a power hammer to make Damascus.
Fortunately for me my father has 1 of those also.
Anyone that has been to sydney knife show or lithgow ironfest in the last fee years would have seen it.
It is also on the blacksmith and bladesmiths facebook page but not with him using it.

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You don’t need a power hammer. It’s a shitload easier but is not essential.


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Your are correct i could use his 100t press but the hammer is easier and faster when you are time poor

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Thanks for putting this up Dave, plenty of us will be following this thread with interest. Its something I would love to have a go at making, but I doubt I will ever get around to it.

Bloody hope he doesn’t get good at it and start posting photos of beautiful shiny things


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But who will test these knives?

How will we know if "eet weel keeeeel"?

trevort wrote: ↑Wed Jun 20, 2018 7:36 am Bloody hope he doesn’t get good at it and start posting photos of beautiful shiny things


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Get to the back of the queue sunshine

But can you send me some antler

Normally you would just mix some refractory and poor it in so it makes it's own level and floor.
Because i am using borax i put in a brick to try and protect the floor a bit. There is a spray you can get but it is expensive and we did not have any.
Progress so far



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Just need to spray with rigidiser, fit the burners, make the gas line and a stand then light it up.

Question for Rabbitz, do you still think it is a big furnace now all the insulation is in?

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It’s threads like this that reveal the short comings of checking in on your phone.

Looking good Dave


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Coming along nicely Dave, keep at it.

you are certainly doing a great job on your furnace, bet it works great