Roller berring damascus

[Nowicki]

I recently acquired some roller bearings from some riding jacks. Any recommendations for forge welding them into some billets for damascus?

 

[EdCaffreyMS]

It all depends....don't assume that they are 52100. These days roller bearings are as likely to be case harden steel as they are 52100. Even if they are 52100, it's not an ideal material to weld into damascus. IF it's 52100, it's going to require special care/handling if used in damascus.....if the bearings are case hardened, then putting them in damascus is just a waste of time and materials. The fact is that unless you are 100% sure of what the material is, there's just no way to predict what you'll come out with.

 

[Nowicki]

Thanks. Maybe in my spare time I'll throw one in the forge just for the heck of it and see what I get.