5

I can make aluminum tools here at home. I can melt metal and anything like copper to 2000 F degrees. Would aluminum not be a good idea when it comes to tools? I want to make a thing for a lathe like a flat edge. But with it being aluminum would it keep its edge on wood? Would it bend? What if I used copper; would it still keep its edge or not and bend like aluminum? I am very curious as to what will happen, and if it is a good idea or not. If not why is it such a bad idea. I know it will more than likely not last as long as steel on wood but does anybody have a guess?

Improve this question

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
11

In short, copper and aluminum are soft metals, and you'd need to consider the quality of the casting and the metallurgical treatment of the tool as well. It sounds like a fun project, but watch out for potential catastrophic failure of the tool.

The first metal tools used by man were copper and copper alloys (bronze and brass). The main problem with these metals is that they are much softer than steel, thus holding an edge for less time and also in a greater risk of bending the tool itself (and not just the cutting edge). Aluminum in pure form (i.e. not an alloy of aluminum) is even softer than copper.

A further issue is with the quality of the casting. How well can you create a uniform alloy and then cast it so that the finished tool will not have any voids or weak spots due to poorly mixed alloy or other flaws? Any such issues will impact the strength of the tool.

Finally, there is a large difference in metal hardness with different treatment methods after the initial casting. Metals most often can be annealed (softened), tempered (toughened) and hardened. A good tool steel alloy can be hardened to twice (or more) the hardness of the original steel.

Now for some numbers (comparing different hardness scales is difficult, but just so that you have the right impression):

  1. On the most commonly used Rockwell hardness scale, steel and copper/aluminum don't even use the same scale (there are HRC for steels and HRB for softer metals). Typical tool steel is about 60 HRC, while brass (which is harder than pure copper) is about 70 HRB. However, 70 HRB is much softer than even 1 HRC.
  2. On the Brinell hardness scale, tool steel has a hardness of about 700, while aluminum is 15 and copper is 35. And just for comparison, hardwoods have a hardness of 3 to 7, so your aluminum tool might be only slightly harder than the wood it is cutting. I would imagine it would be like cutting pine with an oak chisel. The most dense hardwoods are probably even harder than copper (woods like Lignum Vitae).

Finally, since you are asking about tools for a lathe, I would be very careful. Lathes exert a lot of force on the turning chisels, and it might cause a catastrophic failure, especially if there is some flaw or void in the casting. The tool might snap suddenly, sending shards flying at high speed.

At the end, it does sound like a nice project to try out, but I would start from tools that don't have such a high risk of damage. A marking knife would be a good start - it will allow you to assess the edge holding capabilities of the metal you are working, and would be pretty safe should the tool suddenly break. Then I would step up to small hand chisels (not for lathe work) and then progress from there if results are satisfactory.

Improve this answer
2
  • Okay, that was very helpful! I will make other things than tools then. But would there even be a metal that melts under 2000 degrees F and still be strong enough to work? If not then it is not a big deal, lathe tools and stuff are at a fair price and I do not mind spending the money. Thank you!
    – Ljk2000
    Commented Jul 3, 2016 at 6:18
  • In general, there is some correlation between melting point and hardness (engineering.dartmouth.edu/defmech/chapter_18.htm), so you'll probably won't find a metal that melts at 2000 F and is harder than copper. Perhaps trying to achieve a hard alloy of copper will be easier (see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_copper_alloys). Some of those start coming close to iron an mild steel (which are pretty far from tool steel, but better than nothing).
    – Eli Iser
    Commented Jul 3, 2016 at 11:58
4

With such soft tools you might make tools that are supposed to dent instead of cut hardwood. I am thinking of position adjusters like hammers and small sledges.

A copper hammer for your chisels would be nice. Aluminium is too light I guess but why not try?

You can make corners and decorations.

You can make some nice tool holders, steam punk style, and take advantage of the metal being strong while not denting the tools.

You can make jigs.

Improve this answer
1
  • That's a very good suggestion. Brass especially is often used for high quality woodworking tools (not cutting edges) and jigs.
    – Eli Iser
    Commented Jul 5, 2016 at 4:47
1

As a former machinist, aluminum for turning tools is a "no-go". Sorry. But, you can fashion a beautiful dead-blow hammer from raw aluminum. And a lot of other great gadgets to compliment you woodworking. I would be interested in seeing and purchasing a dead-blow hammer.

Improve this answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.