Thread: Where to get free machining steel

Try and find a CNC machining company, they use 12L14 (I thought 1214 was the same, but could be wrong). The CNC machines can't use the last 150-200mm due ti the autofeed system. I have purchased both round and hex bar in various sizes and it is a dream to machine compared to 1020 or 1040.

Thanks Big Shed, thats a hot tip re the CNC companies.

I have been finding it impossible to get a good finish on mild steel, hence my desire to try some proper machining steel. At least then I can rule the steel out of the equation.

You know, on the weekend I was machining down a 5/8 HSS drill bit shank to 13mm so that I could chuck it in my drill press. I was using my new carbide tipped tools that I got from ozmestore and the finish was unbelieveable! True mirror finish. I was machining dry, and the swarf was coming out electric blue in colour. The carbide bit loved it though! Didnt miss a beat.

If you cant get a decent finish on mild steel 1020 with HSS you must be doing something wrong.
If you need some free machining steel let me know what dia your after and ill see what price I can get it for if you like.

I can get it pretty smooth, but not really shiny. Ill post some pics soon. Im almost certainly grinding the tools wrong. I have some guides im going off, but I really need to get my uncle over to show me what to do (he is a fitter/turner).

Yeah it would be great if you could get me some prices. I would like some 20mm stuff, and probably something bigger...say 40mm.

Brendan

At 500 or different.
I will get prices on 3/4",7/8",1 1/2" & 2".

Thanks mate, at 500 is perfect.

Brendan

The best I can do and it includes my time is,
3/4" $9 + post
7/8" $10.50 + post
1 1/2" $25 + post
2" $43 + post.
All sizes are 500mm lng.
You should be able to get it down there for maybe less as well as no post.

PM sent

Just a quick guide should be between $17 to $20.postage.

I am not a machinist, although it is my understanding that you will never get the high shine type of finnish staight off a manual lathe, you need to use a file or similar

I get my tool steel from Bohler in Guildford. Brilliant quality and variety of steels and not expensive.

Bohler-Uddeholm Australia

Originally Posted by China

I am not a machinist, although it is my understanding that you will never get the high shine type of finnish staight off a manual lathe, you need to use a file or similar

You can.

Here are some pictures (not very good) that might show the differences from using Carbide and HSS to finish cut 1020.
Not sure if you can tell from the pictures but there is 3 different diameters,and 4 lengths.
The shortest length is the original stock.
The 1 next to it was machined with Tungsten Carbide 705RPM,.005" DOC .0015" Feed.
The next was done with a HSS roughing tool with coolant 100RPM .005 DOC,.0015 Feed.
The last one was also done with HSS finishing tool with coolant 55RPM,.005" DOC,.0015 Feed.
Not that you can tell from the quality of the pictures but none of the surfaces have been touched with any thing apart from the tools and coolant where stated.

Like anything you are looking for free........dunpster diving is a go.

One thing that comes to mid is bent / broken/ rusty trailer axles..anywhere that does trailer repair work will toss a few in the skip.
car and truck axles, gearbox shafts, certain old car parts.......there's is good steel in all sorts of places...and they'll only give you $50 a tonne on a good day..so lots of eople don't mind you raiding their steel scrap bin.
Hell anywhere there is a lot of heavy machinery..there will be flogged out shafts & pins and stuff tossed out every day.

there is free and there is low cost metal.....some of the scrappers will let you have as much as you like of anything they have for scrap cost....and some of the stuff a mate of mine has got from the scrappers is pretty damn good.

Like free wood......if you look around there will be plenty of free steel lying arround If you just look for it.

I am constantly gob smacked what people toss away...I mean toss in the rubbish type, don't care type, toss away.

I've seen electricians throw scrap wire in the rubbish bin........I always have a 20L drum in the workshop for scrap wire....I usullly get $30 ish for it when its full, at the scrappers.

Good scrounging

cheers