Steel from old rotavator blades?

[graduate_owner]

Hi all,
Always on the lookout for cheap / free turning tools, so does anyone know if the steel used in rotavator blades would be any good for use as scraping tools? I have some worn blades from a tractor mounted rotavator which I could grind to suitable shapes and fix to a mild steel shank, but I don't know about the quality of the steel.
Anyone tried using these?

K

 

[dickm]

Interesting question. The obvious characteristic of such blades is resistance to wear (the Howard Bullfinch that I used to have only showed minimal wear after 20+ years hard work). But not sure what sort of an edge it would take - probably not a fine one, but possibly OK for a scraper.

 

[graduate_owner]

I'm tempted to try anyway, even if it does end up a waste of time. At least I will find out, and I can pass on the result via the forum. I'm also wondering whether heat treatment might be of benefit.

K

 

[woodpig]

It would be worth trying to harden a sample before you spend too much time on it. Heat until non magnetic then quench and see how hard it gets. If a file skates over the surface it could be reasonable steel.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I wondered about leaf springs for large scrapers ...

 

[JimB]

I wondered about leaf springs for large scrapers ...

I remember seeing some footage of woodturning in Africa where all the tools were made from leaf springs. Turning speeds were quite low though.

 

[dickm]

It would be worth trying to harden a sample before you spend too much time on it. Heat until non magnetic then quench and see how hard it gets. If a file skates over the surface it could be reasonable steel.

If the blades in question are anything like those I've encountered, they are HARD hard anyway! They have to put up with being pushed rapidly through abrasive soil, stones etc. without wearing away in too short a time. All soil-engaging components basically have to be as hard but non-brittle as possible. But I don't know what that means in terms of taking an edge.

 

[graduate_owner]

I shall let you all know how I get on. I have several blades so I could make a nice set of scrapers.

K

 

[woodpig]

I wondered about leaf springs for large scrapers ...

They should be fine. It won't keep an edge as long as HSS but it could actually be a keener edge to start with.