well a weird question

[GunClick Rick]

I found a very old xylaphone a few days ago,it's portable and has two frames with key bars,wide at one end tapers down.The frames are pretty shot and i gonna make a case for a long barrelled gun i have fro the box.I don't know what the bars are made of,probably stainless steel?Can they be turned into knife blades?I have a stack of them

[St. George]

Your best bet is to call the oldest musiccal instrument shop in your town with the name of the instrument, and see what light they can shed.

Somehow, I don't think the keys are stainless - rather heavily-plated carbon steel.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Dave Cole]

Rick, a quick test with a magnet should give you an idea.If it's non-magnetic , it's probably austenitic stainless which is non-hardenable and no good for blades.A quick test for plating is a trip to the grinder, and you can also try "Cold Blue" for guns as it will not effect stainless.If it is hardenable martenistic Stainless or carbon steel only heat-treating and testing will prove whether or not it's any good.
That's the main problem with using everyday items with unknown steels.It usually takes more time than its worth to find out.Alot of what most folks think make good blades really don't.Railroad spikes can be both High and low carbon, keep the ones marked "HC" and pitch the rest. Files and rasps are another one.Many cheap ones are case hardened which are junk.Most of the others are simple 1% carbon steel which is ok, the best being  Nicholsen Black Diamond files as they are 1.25% carbon and make excellant blades.Saw blades can be used if they are the older Mill type blades, which probably is L-6 a fine steel.Saw blades with carbide teeth are useless mild steel.
I have found over the years that it is much more efficient and cheaper in the long run to use good quality known steel.Dave

[Ned Buckshot]

Great comments Dave!

I know I appreciate the insight.

Ned

[GunClick Rick]

Bummer,i was gonna give them to somebody,maybe i will just make a windchime from them.

Thanks for the info fellers.That about sums it up

[KidTerico]

Good info Dave, thanks a lot. KT

[GunClick Rick]

Well they were made around 1905 and the steel is very magnetic

[Qball]

why not renovate the frame and learn how to play?

[GunClick Rick]

Thought about that,the felt covered rubber seems to be ok,it's the littlle gromets that will be hard to fit that each bar semi snaps onto.Stay tuned we may be jammin.

[Messerist]

I kinda agree with what Dave wrote.  Mystery steels are more of a headache than they are worth.  I use a lot of files but then I am a glutton for punishment.  Over the years I have been happy using scrap steel and such for knives but I have never had a problem using  "knife steel" bought from a quality source.  I would keep the xylophone as a memento and use more conventional steel for your knives.  besides it is a shame to see a good xylophone go to waste

[GunClick Rick]

 

[GunClick Rick]

xylaphone,i wouldn't own an accordian Or an accordian player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVIbGp_vcUk&feature=related