Got fangs?

[mbeach]

. I have never tried to stick a magnet on them though-
Anyhow, when stainless gets past a certain formulation its non magnetic. Its one of those chemistry things.

AFAIK, 300 series (Austenitic) stainless steels are non-magnetic unless they have been work-hardend. The rolling/stamping processes used to make the fangs would have work-hardened them.

A magnet does not stick to them. They look (and scratch) just like aluminum. Aluminum will polish up well with the wet-dry to 1000 method and some polishing compound. Protect the new surface with BoeShield T-9 or a butt-load of wax. Avoid using ammonia based cleaners, ammonia corrodes aluminum.

[SpaceTruck'n]

AFAIK, 300 series (Austenitic) stainless steels are non-magnetic unless they have been work-hardend. The rolling/stamping processes used to make the fangs would have work-hardened them.

A magnet does not stick to them. They look (and scratch) just like aluminum. Aluminum will polish up well with the wet-dry to 1000 method and some polishing compound. Protect the new surface with BoeShield T-9 or a butt-load of wax. Avoid using ammonia based cleaners, ammonia corrodes aluminum.

Ok, whatever.
Sounds like you know what you talking about.
I was originaly going to duplicate some in Al and then machine face them with a spinning wire brush. (So they would look like the nose on the "Spirit Of St. Louis") and I would have another set if I ruined them. But they are such a complex shape I blew it off.
All I know is: They are hard, very difficult to bend ( considering the gauge of the material ) and they look cool shinny.

If they are indeed Al, anodizing them would look pretty cool too!

Oh, and thanks a lot dude. Now I simply MUST know what they are made of. Even if I have to check the specific gravity! Im going to take one off and put a drop or two of Hcl acid on the inside. If I get bubbles Ill eat a bug.

[mbeach]

Oh, and thanks a lot dude. Now I simply MUST know what they are made of. Even if I have to check the specific gravity! Im going to take one off and put a drop or two of Hcl acid on the inside. If I get bubbles Ill eat a bug.

:laughr:
I have a non-ferrous metals scrapyard not too far from me. The guy there has a "gun" that'll tell you the composition of any metals that he points it at. Pretty nifty. Maybe I'll drive over there and check it out.

They do seem rather tough for such a thin gauge of metal. Maybe they are kryptonite after all? I'm seriously thinking about polishing mine now too. They don't have any real scratches on them, so a pad and some rouge might do the trick.

[SpaceTruck'n]

I cant beleive I actualy tested them, but I was begining to doubt my OWN superpowers.
The day that happens you are shafted man!
So, I removed my right side fang.
I roughed the inside up with a Dremel tool to provide a virgin surface.
I put a few drops of pool acid (Hcl) on that area. At the same time I put the very same acid on a chunk of non anodized aluminum that I roughed up in the very same way.
Within ten seconds the aluminum was bubbling and liberating large quantitys of noxios vapors (cough, cough). At the very same time the mystery metal the fang is made out of was doing... Nothing.
Nada.
Zip.
I then poured the acid from the fang onto the aluminum causing even more bubbles, noxios vapors, heat, etctera.
I can't say what exactly the fangs ARE made of, but they are one thirty second of inch thick, are not magnetic, and do not throw sparks when you grind on them.
I do believe they are stainless steel, "just like my kitchen sink" NOT aluminum, or any significant amalgum thereof.
Other sugestions are welcome.
Peace.

[mbeach]

Stainless steel throws sparks on a grinder.

I stopped by the Non-Ferrous Metals Scrapyard today. My hookup wasn't around to do the test on the fangs. I'm really anxious to know what these things are made out of as well.

I'd like to polish them, but now I don't know where to start.

[SpaceTruck'n]

Stainless steel throws sparks on a grinder.

Yea, I used to have a welding book that had pictures of all the different types of sparks metals made when you grind them, but I cant find it in this pig stye.
However as I recall you are right, Stainless indeed throws sparks but they are wimpy and few.
So once again I removed my trusty right side fang, reved up my angle grinder and sacrificed a bit of clip part that holds it on.
VIOLA!
Sparks.
Nothing to set fire to anything with but nevertheless there were sparks. I just had to use the right tool for the right job.

Trust me they are stainless steel. Test them with that gun, you will see I'm not full of crap.
I was acid etching aluminum most all day today, and after a while you get a sense for metals. Like... Ask your recycling freind. Ill bet he hardly ever really uses that gun. You can tell by the feel, the heft. "The texture. The taste! I love GOoooooLD"

As far as pollishing then is concerned just go with post #02-18-2005 03:54 PM and you cant go far wrong. One thing to remember: If you use a buffing wheel they get hot FAST so dont stay in one place too long and protect your fingers from getting burned.
Don't worry you wont ruin them Theyre Kryptonite!

Aluminum leaves black stuff on your hands, It drys out your skin until it cracks. I love to work with it but is messy.

[mbeach]

Sparks??!?

No black dust when sanding/polishing??!?

Than you are correct sir, they are NOT aluminum. Unobtainium maybe?
I really enjoy your posts, so I have to find out for sure.
I have a material science book around my own pig stye somewhere. I'll have to look up the correct testing procedure. Sounds like a job for the kids at the Community College.