Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => At the Forge => Topic started by: Pat B on June 30, 2019, 10:41:09 am

Title: wagon wheel tire
Post by: Pat B on June 30, 2019, 10:41:09 am

I have an old wood wagon wheel the most of the wood has rotted away. Does anyone know if the tire(metal) or the metal bands that hold the hub together would be good forging blades.   (f)

Title: Re: wagon wheel tire
Post by: osage outlaw on June 30, 2019, 11:35:26 am

Good question Pat.  I found a wagon wheel in the middle of our woods years ago.  You can see where it was forge welded together. 

Title: Re: wagon wheel tire
Post by: dylanholderman on June 30, 2019, 06:16:20 pm

not good blade steel but it is good furniture steel.
actual old wagon wheels are made from wrought iron( even lower carbon then mild steel) but because of how it was manufactured the impurity's in it make for some interesting patterns that make it good for hilt parts or forge welding to a high carbon steel for the edge.

Title: Re: wagon wheel tire
Post by: Pat B on June 30, 2019, 08:12:12 pm

Maybe I'll make a gong out of it. How about the bands that hold the hub together? Different function, different material?

Title: Re: wagon wheel tire
Post by: Hawkdancer on June 30, 2019, 09:44:23 pm

I would think the cooperage (barrel) bands would be a higher grade is steel, but I am not a mettallurgist or a blacksmith.
Hawkdancer

Title: Re: wagon wheel tire
Post by: bubby on July 04, 2019, 10:10:19 am

If it's wrought iron I would like to get my hands on a little Pat

Title: Re: wagon wheel tire
Post by: Pat B on July 04, 2019, 01:57:30 pm

How do I know if it is wrought iron?

Title: Re: wagon wheel tire
Post by: ssgtchad on July 22, 2019, 03:34:41 am

Take a small sample heat it to critical, quench, it then slap it on your anvil, If it shatters it's probably good steel to forge a blade. I'd think that the road wheel would be made from a good quality steel, seeing that it has to hold up to alot of friction,  bumps etc. I dont think wrought iron would hold up.

Title: Re: wagon wheel tire
Post by: PaulN/KS on July 22, 2019, 06:22:02 pm

I've got an old bent up one that I found stuck in the rocks by a pasture. It rings like a bell when ya whack it...
Never have done anything with it except move it out of the way a bunch a times.  ::)

Title: Re: wagon wheel tire
Post by: Pat B on July 22, 2019, 06:50:43 pm

I have no way of cutting or heating to any significant temperature. Maybe I make a gong out of it.  :OK

Title: Re: wagon wheel tire
Post by: mullet on August 01, 2019, 09:55:55 am

i've seen some strong, sharp trade points made from the wheel band.