A buddy of mine is building a 3 cylinder steam engine for a small car. He asked me to find him some cast iron for the cylinders. Our local steel supply place has Dura-bar 1 1/2 ID - 3 1/2 OD which is perfect but you need to buy 6 feet and it is ~ $ 400. Dose anyone have any short pcs for sale [ he needs 3 chunks 4 1/2 inches long] Or would anyone like to go in together and buy 6 feet and divid it? Or any suggestions. Richard
cast iron;
Sep 18, 2004
9 Replies
tell him to look at the used junk yards for cylinder liners out of small diesel engines , or maybe buy them new
like for the small diesel welder engines?
Versa-bar says they'll cut hollow bar to length...
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Ned Simmons
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Nasty hyperlink - but you can see mscdirect has for USD $86.34 12" 3.5 1.5 12" long Class 83 Cast Gray Iron. MSC page book 1765 (quicker way with page number) Cored Rods. You will need at least 2 of these.
Martin
Why is cast iron required for steam engines? Wouldn't stainless work as well? What are the issues other than rust & lubrication?
Maybe ease of machining?
-- Jeff R
Machineability
Bob Swinney
Ask the local distributor if you look in the scrap bin. I have picked up some nice pieces of cast iron this way.
GJR
Also consider stainless steel is not the best conducter of heat. I suppose some alloys may be better than others, but...
Thank you to all that have responded to my posting. I got some good advise and wonderful leads. Richard
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