Titanium

[Jgrden]

I have and am cutting 1/2 inch rod of titanium. Using my Skill variable speed reciprocating saw it take 3/4 of an hour to cut it. Is there a faster way? Table saw using metal cutting blades, chop saw using metal cutting blades?

 

[KenV]

Fine bimetalic blade in the recip saw? Titanium can be (is) tough and it takes a good blade.

 

[Chuck Key]

Depends on the grade of the bar but a small metal cutting bandsaw should make quick work of it.

 

[jleiwig]

diamond coated wheel in a 4" grinder.

 

[btboone]

You're getting things too hot. It hardens when heated that hot, so ruins the blade immediately. A normal hacksaw can cut it in less than a minute, but the trick is to keep it cool. Same goes with drilling. It has to be extremely slow, like 150 rpms and flooded with coolant, otherwise the drill will die immediately.

 

[Jgrden]

I'll be darned. i have been using too high a speed. I am all for the hack saw and lowering the speed on the lathe. I had that sucker going so fast, lit sparks were flying. I think the only thing I can do to keep it cool on the lathe is to dose it with ice water. Gotta cover the lathe so that it does not get wet.

Thanks for the advice, all of you.

 

[Jgrden]

Thank You

You're getting things too hot. It hardens when heated that hot, so ruins the blade immediately. A normal hacksaw can cut it in less than a minute, but the trick is to keep it cool. Same goes with drilling. It has to be extremely slow, like 150 rpms and flooded with coolant, otherwise the drill will die immediately.

I checked your web site. There is no way I could compete with your fine work but your advice on working the Titanium "cool". I'd love to be able to add a color by some how cutting a grove and filing it. More imporatantly; what does heat (butane torch) do to change the color of Titanium? Here is my first Titanium pen so you can see that I am no competition.

 

[me2cyclops]

google "mr titanium " for instructions on anodizing it will look much brighter than filling with color and isn't very difficult to do

 

[Jgrden]

google "mr titanium " for instructions on anodizing it will look much brighter than filling with color and isn't very difficult to do

Okay will do, thanks.

 

[btboone]

When you heat titanium, a clear oxide forms. As the thickness of the oxide grows with higher heat, different colors are formed by the constructive interference of light waves. This is how oil on a wet parking lot gets its colors. The first color is bronze, followed by ink blue/purple, blue, light blue, then yellow, magenta, and teal. With flame anodizing, only the lower few colors will be possible. You can make an anodizer by just adding DC voltage through a liquid that conducts to get higher colors. It can be dangerous, so you should know what you are doing if you go the electrical route.

 

[btboone]

Here's a sample of the anodized colors possible on titanium.

 

[Jgrden]

I went to the site and got some good information. Thank you again.

 

[Jgrden]

Here's a sample of the anodized colors possible on titanium.

I am going to try it. As soon as I can figure out a safe way to use DC current I will try it too. DC should not be too hard to do.

 

[Jgrden]

You're getting things too hot. It hardens when heated that hot, so ruins the blade immediately. A normal hacksaw can cut it in less than a minute, but the trick is to keep it cool. Same goes with drilling. It has to be extremely slow, like 150 rpms and flooded with coolant, otherwise the drill will die immediately.

I tried it. Thank you. I can't believe a little old hand hack saw cut through the Titanium in less than fifteen minutes.

 

[me2cyclops]

if you have any ?'s setting up for anodizing let me know I've built my own rig and I've been in electrical work for 20+ years.
the biggest $$ is finding a variac , preferably 10amp or larger check craigslist for your area I bought mine for $10 (new it would be $150)