Thread: Flocast cast iron bar available shapes

I believe other shapes are available, BUT, and it is a big BUT.... It is a special run so the order has to be measured in tonnes..

Other then that unless you find NOS somewhere the cast iron is available in your choice, of round, round or round...

And…… you can have any colour you like as long as it's black!

Simon

Global Metals has some rectangular sections. You have to buy a full lenght, thats where we found the 4" x 2"'s for the scraping classes. (Had to drag it over from Perth though).

Knock Michael G up. Theres a place in Adelaide, I think the name started with an "S". They had some stock and would cut to lenght.

Regards Phil..

Originally Posted by Machtool

Knock Michael G up. There's a place in Adelaide, I think the name started with an "S".

Actually, I think I'm a bit beyond child bearing age these days...

The place you are trying to remember is Surman Metals - Suman Metals: Welcome

Michael

Originally Posted by Ueee

Hi guys,
Just wondering if anyone has been able to get 4E or 3D flocast is sections other than round? It shows that they are available on some websites, but i have been told by the place that i can get it locally that they can only get solid rounds and tubes. I was hoping to get 125x50 rectangular or something like that.

Cheers,
Ew

I just get mine cast up as required by the foundry. Last couple pieces I had done were 230 x 400 x 30 and 230 x 300 x 30. Don't know what the grade code is but it machines nicely.

If I wanted 125 x 50 I'd just make up a pattern & have them cast me some.

PDW

Uwee, how long a piece /pieces 125x50 do you need?

Hi Joe,
I was hoping for 600.

I was after flocast as it should be stable, since i was going to turn it into an I beam straight edge/parallel. If i'm going to get it cast i may as well make a proper pattern. Who do you use PDW? We have nothing in this town, i'd have to go to either Sydney or Melbourne presumably.

Ewee,
I'll make a point of going to the local tractor wrecker over the next week or so. I can sometimes find castings of something within those dimensions.
However, it would mean redimensioning a larger piece. That sets up new stresses which you don't want for that purpose. If you can heat treat it after rough machining, that would be OK. Otherwise you'd be better off with a new casting or continuous casting as you asked.
The Castlemaine foundry would be a more economical option then Melbourne or Sydney I suspect. Josh checked that one out. Hee may want to chip in here.

Originally Posted by Ueee

Hi Joe,
I was hoping for 600.

I was after flocast as it should be stable, since i was going to turn it into an I beam straight edge/parallel. If i'm going to get it cast i may as well make a proper pattern. Who do you use PDW? We have nothing in this town, i'd have to go to either Sydney or Melbourne presumably.

Derwent Foundry in Hobart.

As for an I beam type parallel, been there done that, I have 2 different sized patterns made and have 2 castings from each of them sitting on the bench waiting their turn on the machine. I think the bigger one is 630mm long as I needed that size for the Monarch cross slide. Derwent Foundry did the castings for me. Smaller one is 550mm and capable of being sawn in half to make 2 shorter ones - I was thinking of making up a few sets of parallels etc for my bigger machines.

I'm not in the least interested in getting into any sort of group buy type deal but if you PM me your email address I'll send you a picture of what I've had done and if it looks suitable for you, ask the foundry what it's worth to do another casting or 2. I go to that part of Hobart pretty regularly.

PDW

Originally Posted by PDW

As for an I beam type parallel, been there done that, I have 2 different sized patterns made and have 2 castings from each of them sitting on the bench waiting their turn on the machine.
PDW

I am interested to see the patterns that you have put together. Do you mind posting a photo here of the patterns?

Thanks Joe and PDW,
I'll look at getting a couple cast, but thanks for the offer Joe. I thought that the flocast would be easier to source, but i guess not. If i need to i can go to Suman metals and see if i can get some sent up, or a lump i can cut up and stress relieve. I can fit 600 in my pot belly so i can always throw them in there for a few days over winter!

We have not heard from Josh or his cast cubes in a while, did anything ever come of those?

Cheers,
Ew

Hi ueee i have to knock up a couple of straight edges for myself over the next few days. I was planning on using 16x50 flat bar and basically just facing off all the edges. They wont be hard to make yourself but while im setup i could do another for you. Send me a pm if interested.
Not sure about any differences in accuracy between using flat bar and cast, if i am on the wrong track pls let me know (although i already have the material and got the operations all planned out)

Hello Ewan,

Give Suman metals ago. I got some 80 x 35 4E from them and had it delivery to Melbourne. They were pretty good to deal with.

Christian

Originally Posted by andrew_mx83

Hi ueee i have to knock up a couple of straight edges for myself over the next few days. I was planning on using 16x50 flat bar and basically just facing off all the edges. They wont be hard to make yourself but while im setup i could do another for you. Send me a pm if interested.
Not sure about any differences in accuracy between using flat bar and cast, if i am on the wrong track pls let me know (although i already have the material and got the operations all planned out)

Hi Andrew,
The straight edges i'm talking about really should be called spotting masters, for spotting surfaces to be scraped flat. Flat and straight to at least .0002" at a guess.
I'll stick a pic on to give you an idea. What your talking about, without being rude, is like a banana in comparison, and not nearly rigid enough to stay straight. The only way to get something this flat is to scrape it against a known flat like a granite plate.
Here's some light reading Which cast iron straight edge type is better?
Cheers,
Ew

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