Campaign for real steel

Over the last few decades we have seen the campaign for real ale and the campaign for real bread. The desire to reject mass produced items and to get back to artisan produced items is spreading.

I think now is the time for model engineers to take up the challenge and start making real steal.

Here are two videos to introduce you to the topic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-BVuQZSm08&t=322s

Incidentally, anyone who mocks artisan steel makers gets a not so friendly visit from the crucible maker in the above video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP8PCkcBZU4&t=1441s

Adrian

So Myford is producing artisan lathes these days then I suppose.

Will be interesting to see if there is more of a backlash against Chinese mass-produced junk and back toward locally made small volume higher quality items across the board after the current disfavour the virus has brought them into. I suspect the low cost options will maintain their favour though.

Yes indeed Hopper, money talks, always did !

Makes sense. Model engineers love to buy cheap, but if you steal it then it costs nothing. That's a bargain!

Andrew

Well spotted, Andrew

Herr Professor Doktor Sigmund Freud is reincarnate !!

MichaelG.

Hi all,

This is my first post for several years, it's nice to be back.

There is a building site in a French forest where a 12th century castle is bering built from scratch using techniques, methods and tools of the era. Most materials are processed and made from what is available locally.

There are several episodes on the extraction of iron using a primitive blast furnace which may be of interest. They are from the first series, episodes 6,7,and 8. The program is in French but with English subtitles. You may find it of interest.

I hope that you enjoy them - keep safe,

TerryD

Rather than steel I'd like to see genuine wrought iron from a puddle furnace. I think some were operating in Russio long after we closed them.

Trouble is if the mark up is anything like artisan baked products only millionaire-machinists would buy it.

edit: having now looked at the videos linked initially they seem to be about forging steel not making small batch crucible steel which I think was sometimes demonstrated at the iron bridge museum.
Most of what model engineers use is rolled or drawn cast steel which is rather different from a forging.

Edited By Bazyle on 24/04/2020 13:22:35

The same basic idea's deployed at least as effectively in many traditional steel processes, such as Sheffield shear steel.

I believe the early Anglo-Saxons were producing similar cakes of crucible steels in the 6th century, though whether they fitted the 'Wootz' definition I don't know.

I'm glad there are a few eccentrics keeping such old techniques alive, but I'm also glad that a decent modern kitchen knife capable of giving decades of service doesn't cost a month's wages for a skilled artisan.

That video rought back some vivid memories I thought were lost. I lived in the Black Country as a child in the late 40s/early 50s and we were surrounded by steelworks and foundries large and small as well as drop forges. I remember my Dad and Uncle wearliy trudging home from the foundry after a 10 hour shift where they worked usually wearing old army greatcoats from their time in service in the 2nd WW, Dad washing in a white enamel bowl with a blue rim (no Bathroom).

There was no PPE worth mentioning in those days - I note that some of the guys in the video had what looked like hessian sacking tied around their legs for some sort of protection. I remember also the guys who were injured doing that work, including my Dad, some seriously, some not so bad. but there was little or no social security so work had to go on. I remember how bad it was when my Dad couldn't work for several weeks. My Uncle was a moulder making sand moulds so his only problem was the silicosis he eventually died from..

And I hear that those were the good old days. Perhaps they were for some.

TerryD

Edited By Terryd on 24/04/2020 16:06:36

Bespoke steel bicycle frames are making a big comeback these days. Artisan produced steel frames with lugged or luggless designs either brazed or welded. Reynolds 853 tubing or Columbus tubing are the most popular but also stainless. Some really beautiful examples out there.

Many chain makers and nail makers in the Black Country worked from home, their forges being in the back yard, often women making the lighter chain, Around the turn of the 20c conditions and pay was so bad a parliamentary commission investigated the trade with little effect. Chain makers became known as 'The White Slaves of England' Good old days, as you say Terry for some.

Hi TerryD, good to see you back, your posts were always worth reading, hope you continue with more.

Regards Nick.