1800's buggy info.

[DANA HOLMAN]

Guys i have found a old buggy with all the wood gone. springs,axels, hubs, wheel rims, steps. i have heard of guys using the springs for knives, but can anyone tell me about the steel in the axels and frame, would this be mild steel? the axels are about 1 1/4 square. my dad told me that he thought it was a doctor's buggy from late 1800's. it is only a two seater, wheels are about 30-36" and the steps are metal.
any info would be great.
thanks
dana

[Wampus]

Most likeley wrought iron in the axles and wheels.  I've found wagon wheel tires (hoops) out in the woods that had a great pattern when etched in feCl.

[DANA HOLMAN]

Thanks steve

[Steve Nuckels]

Interesting to see what you will come up with using those materials.

Steve
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Potomac Forge
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IN GOD WE TRUST

[DANA HOLMAN]

Steve I'll be sure to post it.
thanks
dana

[Scott Roush]

so how do you recognize wrought iron?  i used to dive lake erie and salvage spikes and things from old (mid 1800s) steam boat wrecks (no longer legal) and i was scrounging around my shop looking for bolster material and there one was. so threw it in the forge and started hammering it.  very interesting feel to it...  like lead almost under the hammer.  it started to split and delaminate and it seemed to be made of fibers.  i heard that wrought iron is kind of fibrous.   anyway i managed to shape a couple of very interesting bolsters.  haven't etched em yet...

anyway think this might be wrought iron?  sounds more like wood re-reading my description!

[Wampus]

Yup, that's how it acts.  Forging it really hot will help reduce splitting. Sometimes I sprinkle a little borax when it splits while forging to help it stick back together.  
If you cut a piece part way through and then put it in a vise and break it the rest of the way, it looks fibrous like wood where it breaks/tears.

[Steve Nuckels]

Dana & Scott, Karl advised to forge wrought at a yellow heat,  I did that with out problem.

Steve
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Potomac Forge
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IN GOD WE TRUST

[Scott Roush]

right on.  that's the stuff.  didn't even realize i have a supply of wrought iron!

[Ray Hammond]

makes tremendous guard and bolsters, butt caps.

I paid a nice sum to buy some wheel rim from a guy in Wyoming.