Article 2619 in misc.rural: From: bnbailey@ducvax.auburn.edu Subject: Message-ID: <1992Mar12.105049.2060@ducvax.auburn.edu> Date: 12 Mar 92 15:50:48 GMT References: <1992Mar9.010128.5880@spectra.com> Lines: 43 > > The bottom line is that I've broken my vise, then broken my workbench > (after I got a beefier vice), trying to bend the darn thing! I'm hesitant > to use any more force or resort to heat without seeing what advice the net > wisdom can provide. Will heat ruin the temper ? I hope to confine most of > the heat to the tang. I don't know if bending the tang is the correct thing to do, or if there is a better way to "tune" the scythe, but if you do decide to bend the tang, then her is how I would do it: 1) Wrap the blade near the tang in lots of wet cloth. Do this before you start. If you apply wet cloth to hot metal, then you could end up with nasty steam burns. --MORE--(44%) 2) Use a propane torch or such similar device to heat the tang just where you want it to bend. Localize the heat as much as possible. Heat it to a cherry red, and do the bending either by securing the blade and moving the tang with a wrench, or piece of pipe, or by clamping the tang, and moving the blade. 3) Let it air cool. If you keep the blade rather cool, then you shouldn't have much trouble with changing the temper. Usually, a large blade like that is (ideally) tempered for hardness (read brittleness as well) along the edge or cutting surface, but is left softer (and tougher) along the back and in the tang. This all may be moot, however, if your blade was not forged, but was cast, then machined into shape. Look at the identifying marks on the blade--if they are in relief (raised), then the blade may well have been cast. If they are stamped into the metal, then it is possible that the blade was forged. Also look at the tang. Does it look like it was cast? Is the surface sort of bumpy (from a sand mold) and/or does it show mold marks (seams along the edges)? If it was cast, then you probably are better off not trying to bend the blade at all. Castings tend to break. --MORE--(96%) Good Luck. Bliss Bailey bbailey@sitting.duc.auburn.edu Auburn University, AL End of article 2619 (of 2619)--what next? [npq]