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The Damascus Forum The art and study of Damascus steel making.

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  #1  
Old 04-15-2012, 12:54 PM
Edy420 Edy420 is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: New Zealand
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cleaning agents for steel cable?

Hi guys.

I had a go at making cable Damascus in the weekend and had trouble getting all the strands to fuse.
I think it had to do with all the oil and dirt inside the cable, so I was wondering what can I use to clean it without ruining it for forging.

Three out of six strands fused quite well, but that was after multiple heats and many coats of borax.
So I have enough to replace the blade inside my pocket knife, but I want to make some more.
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  #2  
Old 04-24-2012, 10:31 PM
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Woodchuck Forge Woodchuck Forge is offline
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What I do is burn out the grease at a much lower temp, like 1500f. Run it until the flame goes out. Then I take out the cable, take it apart (the major strands)and wire brush it all by hand, Then re-assemble the cable. This helps a lot. I have heard some using kerosene and even gasoline but I have not had good luck. Did not try the gasoline though.


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  #3  
Old 10-14-2012, 12:49 PM
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R. Yates R. Yates is offline
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I soak it in Diesel for a few days , then lay it in a pit set it on fire and burn it the next day wash it off , a few whacks with the hammer and the brush to separate it clean it up put it back together a lil borax and in the forge and it is ready to go !

Sam
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Old 03-01-2013, 09:15 PM
coal forge user coal forge user is offline
 
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I use 1 1/4 cable. its stiff enough to stand up by its self. I use engine degreaser starting at the top and let run down. After2 or 3 hrs wash it off with water and burn the rest out in forge. Heat will let left over grease bubble out and burn. I then heat to dark cherry wire brush flux and weld. It works for me

Last edited by coal forge user; 03-01-2013 at 09:23 PM. Reason: river rat spelling
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  #5  
Old 03-03-2013, 01:12 PM
Imakethings Imakethings is offline
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I also suggest a mild acid etch after the degreasing.
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Old 03-04-2013, 06:09 PM
Cthulhu Cthulhu is offline
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I don't recommend Gasoline for anything. Far too explosive, and I have the burn scars to prove it.
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Old 03-13-2013, 08:25 AM
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levensailor.r levensailor.r is offline
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I use kerosene and then purple power degreaser then burn it off in the forge...then wire brush it and flux it and forge it..
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acid, back, blade, damascus, etch, fire, folding knife, forge, forging, hammer, knife, pocket knife, steel


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