A Video on Spark-Testing

Goodmorning everyone!!

So, here"s my newest video...

Its about Spark Testing, the process of taking a grinder to a piece of metal, and using the sparks it gives off to determine its composition...

In this video we spark test mild steel, tool steel, cast steel, malleable iron, gray cast and white cast...

Its just a little basic crash course in spark testing, so maybe it can help you determine what you"re working with... I think its fascinating... I first heard about spark testing when I welded that old vise, and ever since then, I"ve been reading up on it, and practicing it... Usually, when I post a video here I like to do a write-up on it, so that people that can"t watch the video can see whats in it... But I"m not sure how to do that with spark testing... A picture is worth a thousand words. I"ll put in a link to a nice wikipedia article someone did, tho...

Anyway, just thought I"d share, maybe it can help someone out someday.

Have an awesome week, everyone
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Good to hear from you again.

Done forgot the link!! oops... :/
Wikipedia

thanks Lanse. Bill

Keep up the good work! Try a piece of 4130 too. Use low lighting . This is one of your only identifiers .Its good to get a color chart by the bench grinder .Funny how most books don't use color examples but its all about watching the bursts and sprigs.Amazing how much they can differ.I did stock Harley kicker shaft vs Chinese repro that always failed. This is because they don't start with the proper steel.Manganese is cool to watch.

Lanse, What year did you first present yourself to us?
Anyway, although at the time, I could see your naivete, I could also see your enthusiasm and desire to learn and I thought "this kid could go somewhere".
I believe you have exceeded most everyone's expectations and tho some have been a bit hard on you at times, I think deep down they have to admit that it may have taken them many years of experience to learn what you have in just a few years.
I think you have a natural inclination toward teaching and I can see a future in TV for you.
I would certainly rather watch your instructional videos than those of that famous Bob Veeela!
On the other hand, you may have just a little way to go to surpass Norm Abram. LOL
BTW, I'm approaching 72 and I have always considered myself somewhat mechanically inclined (or is it declined) but I come here because there is much I don't know.
A big thank you for your input!

Lanse I enjoyed watching this video. You did a good job of explaining all the information and it was fun to watch too. I thought it was very interesting. Good job.

really amazing how the kid that didnt like high school has turned into quite the scholar, once you found something that interested you, my hats off to you!!! keep up the good work

Hey Lanse , Very good job on the spark video. When you get into the welding cast let us know. I've been trying to find someone to weld a cast hub on one of my tractors and like you said nobody want's to touch it. I need a good instructor to show me how. Trucker

As I usually follow other forums, this is the first of your videos I watched. I truly enjoyed it, and I learned something in the process. I'll be watching for more. Keep up the good work.