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  1. #1
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    Default Steel from large bearings - useful??

    Hi all,

    There's a few large bearing races at work that are likely to get scrapped shortly. Sizes range up to approx 400 OD and 75 wide.

    If bearing steel is of any interest to you smithing types I can put my hand up to grab a couple to pass on.

    Steve

  2. #2
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    G'day Steve,
    My son is always on the lookout for interesting steel to forge so if they do end up destined for scrap I might grab one or two for him.
    Cheers,
    Greg.

  3. #3
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    Default

    Many Knife makers use discarded bearings as a source of steel

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by China View Post
    Many Knife makers use discarded bearings as a source of steel
    More than likely they will be 52100 series ,a chromium based grade well regarded by the knifemakers since the fifties.
    It produces a fine grain which is tough and retains a sharp edge for a long while.

    Grahame

  5. #5
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    Default

    The outer bearing races are often ground to size and so make good tramming rings for the mill.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by kwijibo99 View Post
    G'day Steve,
    My son is always on the lookout for interesting steel to forge so if they do end up destined for scrap I might grab one or two for him.
    Cheers,
    Greg.
    Will do.
    Can you find out whether he'd prefer ball or roller ones or if he doesn't care. I was thinking roller might be a more practical profile to start with...

    Steve

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gavin Newman View Post
    The outer bearing races are often ground to size and so make good tramming rings for the mill.
    Thanks Gavin.
    Yes, there's some that are smaller than these big ones - likely around 150-200 diam that would be good for that.

    These big buggers are too heavy for me to lift my myself so even just the outer race would be too heavy for a tramming ring!

    Steve

  8. #8
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    Default

    Did I say they were big-ish??



    Steve

  9. #9
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    G'day Steve,
    Probably roller as like you say they'd be an easier profile to start from, although a ball one might come in handy to make some press tools.
    He started out learning to forge knives and has recently decided to give hammer making a go as well so he will happily take whatever is the least hassle for you to get.
    Thanks for making the offer and let me know what works best for you as far as picking them up goes.
    Cheers,
    Greg.

  10. #10
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    No worries Greg, have sent you a PM.

    Steve

  11. #11
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    I know it’s an old thread but if you have any large ball bearing, balls i’m chasing A variety of sizes especially bigger ones for some tooling I want to Forge.
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by DSEL74 View Post
    I know it’s an old thread but if you have any large ball bearing, balls i’m chasing A variety of sizes especially bigger ones for some tooling I want to Forge.
    PM sent.

    Steve

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