Looking for something to machine a compound clamp out of that turns better than 1018.
Unfortunately, Metal Express doesn't have 12L14 in the width I'd like.
- posted
16 years ago
How well does A-36 Carbon Steel Hot Roll machine?
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16 years ago
ASTM A36 has a machinability rating of 72%, based on 1212 at 100%
Which means what for a 1HP lathe?
Louis Ohland wrote:
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16 years ago
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Liebovich is farther into Rockford, but it's easier to get to from the south. They have 12L14 up to 6" square. Or 1117.
Cold Finished Squares
- 1018 * 1117 * 1045 * 1213/1215 * 12L14
Size Range:
1/8" to 6"spaco wrote:
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16 years ago
I think you'll generally find A36 slightly worse than 1018. "They" say that 1018 is usually a more homogenous material than A36 (junk cars) because it is often used for cold rolling. I'm a sorta blacksmith so I have a lot of A36 (in hot rolled form)around here and I often grab some when I need to machine a part that doesn't have to have a real pretty finish.
If you don't mind paying a little more, I use 1144 (or is it
1141)----"Stressproof" It is a medium carbon steel that we use here for press tooling but it turns very nicely and is pretty tough stuff. Turns to a mirror finish.You probably already know this, but if you can find a welding shop or fabrication shop anywhere around where you live, they will be able to put you in contact with a steel supplier that will have leaded steel. That same steel supplier may be able to tell you the names of companies that they sell "free machining" steels to. You can then visit them to see if you can beg or buy their "drops".
Pete Stanaitis
----------------- Louis Ohland wrote:
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16 years ago
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16 years ago
Rockford Il, I preume. My home town. Lots of small machine shops, tool and die shops, etc. Lots of Fab shops and welding shops, too. Every one has stuff for dumpster diving.
Pete Stanaitis
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Louis Ohland wrote:
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16 years ago
Most of my bar and plate stock is scrap hot or cold-rolled from junkyards and except for hot-cut edges it generally machines pretty well. The few pieces that didn't were OK after annealing in the wood stove. The channel and beam cutoffs that are probably A36 machine easily with a finish that depends more on sharpness, rigidity, depth of cut and oil than the steel itself.
Jim Wilkins