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Thread: Tantung steel

  1. #1
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    Default Tantung steel

    Well, with the huge number of carbide tipped tools available, I am looking into resurrecting a local tool used by the Oregon Myrtle wood bowl turners that has been called the Big Ugly tool. The traditional version is a 3/4 inch square by 30 inch long piece of cold rolled steel with a tantung steel (1/8 inch thick by 7/8 inch wide by 3 inch long) silver soldered (don't know exactly what that is, but is isn't what you use to solder copper pipe together) to both ends of the bar. A heavy leather glove was worn on the handle end. One end is ground more square, the other more fingernail. You sharpen in the morning, and then turn till lunch, then sharpen again after lunch, and turn till beer:30. The thing I liked about this, compared to the carbide is that it keeps as sharp of an edge, lasts almost as long, and you can sharpen it. While trying to find a source, I found this company, who is in your neck of the woods. This is not a manufactured type of tool, and is home made. Probably worth looking into, especially for your rock hard woods. A 6 inch by 1 inch by 1/8 inch piece runs around $50 here, and you score it with a grinder, then break it apart for 2 cutters. It is more durable that stellite, which is the cutting tip on the Woodcut bowl coring blades. I did find the 3/4 inch bar stock to be a bit top heavy and will probably use 3/8 inch stock.

    ASTEG - Tantung Cutting Tools

    robo hippy

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  3. #2
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by robo hippy View Post
    The traditional version is a 3/4 inch square by 30 inch long piece of cold rolled steel with a tantung steel (1/8 inch thick by 7/8 inch wide by 3 inch long) silver soldered to both ends of the bar.

    This is not a manufactured type of tool, and is home made. Probably worth looking into, especially for your rock hard woods.

    ASTEG - Tantung Cutting Tools

    robo hippy
    I did not know these tools had a name, I've got four of them. I used to do some work for an Engineering training establishment who also did me an odd favour.

    As they are different diameters I made 2 of them into 3 corner point tools and the other 2 into Coving tools.

    I also use a metal lathe cut off tool as a parting off tool (equally hard stuff). I cut a slot in a piece of hardwood with the tablesaw and inset it with Epoxy Glue.

    As fort silver soldering, It's done with hard Solder (Lead solder is 'Soft') and a blowtorch. I'm sure you local DIY shed will stock the stuff. You can also braze the two metals together.
    Dragonfly
    No-one suspects the dragonfly!

  4. #3
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    Default I 'll check em out.

    Robo,

    These guys are only 30-40 minutes or so from my place. So I have sent them a email, if they dont reply will ring or maybe drive out there myself.

    Wouldnt mind getting some of this tool steel as well. I see it wont anneal at 1500C wow. Thats how come it can be silver soldered, good stuff.

    Will get back to you when they get back to me
    Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working. — Pablo Picasso


  5. #4
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    Default

    There's another thread about this stuff in the metalwork forum, sounds like good stuff.
    https://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/ta...-tools-148672/

  6. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by robo hippy View Post
    The thing I liked about this, compared to the carbide is that it keeps as sharp of an edge, lasts almost as long, and you can sharpen it.
    robo hippy
    Something I didn't mention, It's damn hard to grind. It chews Pink Wheels up like crazy and the standard Grey ones are hard work.

    If anyone works out what to grind these with I'd be happy to learn.
    Dragonfly
    No-one suspects the dragonfly!

  7. #6
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    If this stuff will work as well as it sounds.......maybe a group buy could bring down the cost a little for a metal working mug like me. That link tp the metal work forum has a diamond tool holder doing a great job!!
    Just do it!

    Kind regards Rod

  8. #7
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    []If this stuff will work as well as it sounds.......maybe a group buy could bring down the cost a little for a metal working mug like me. That link tp the metal work forum has a diamond tool holder doing a great job!![/

    OK when I get some info I will put up a group buy thingy .

    In the meantime anybody who is interested chime in here. When I contact them I can say 'that x number want to do business' etc


    dr4g0nfly, it may well need the green slicone carbide grinding wheel. I will check that as well.
    Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working. — Pablo Picasso


  9. #8
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    I wonder how a CBN wheel would handle it?
    Ted

  10. #9
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    To "solder"this type of material you will need to use an SBA (silver brazing alloy)
    grade 245 that is 45% silver will do the job but if you can get hold of some 330 or higher the 3 series has a small % of nickel and is the best for shock loaded application( large saw teeth) and is used with a suitable paste flux
    have fun
    Bowl_basher
    I can turn large lumps of wood into very small bowls

  11. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by hughie View Post
    dr4g0nfly, it may well need the green slicone carbide grinding wheel. I will check that as well.
    Thanks Hughie
    Dragonfly
    No-one suspects the dragonfly!

  12. #11
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    Default

    I only got my first Big Ugly after I already had the matrix type CBN wheels. I now have the D Way wheels, and they work fine on the Tantung. I know the more standard wheels were used for sharpening this type of steel. Maybe ask the business there what they suggest for sharpening wheels.

    robo hippy

  13. #12
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    Default

    I would be interested in the group buy, depending on what sizes were available and price of course.

  14. #13
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    Hughie,
    I am interested also,
    regards,
    Crocy.

  15. #14
    cookie48 is offline Old Fart (my step daughters named me)
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    Ok you have me there. Being a lot dumb I can not understand it all. Am I right in seeing that it will keep it's edge better and longer? If that is the case just how could it be made into wood working tools for turning? Sorry, but I did say I lot dumb.

  16. #15
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    Default

    Looks interesting I'm in!
    .
    Updated 8th of February 2024

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