O1 Tool Steel from Amazon

**Anorak Bob** · 7th February 2013, 11:24 AM

I need a slice of bright steel, 2 1/2" x 1/8" x 6", to make a cap iron for Ray and Josh's plane blade, part of my pretend plane project. I could buy an offcut of scaly mild steel plate and "sand" it to a nice shiny finish or I could buy some O1 steel.

The later requires less work but more expense. I contacted Bohler and was quoted $105 plus gst for a 36" length of 3" x 1/8" O1. That included airbagging from Brisbane. Amazon has 18" of the same size for $27.10 plus a hard to believe $11.05 for shipping, less than the cheapest book postage.

Now, one of you blokes commented on Amazon and their reasonable shipping rate for steel the other day but for the life of me, I can't find that post. Books used to take up to 2 months to arrive. I'm wondering how long I would expect to wait for a piece of steel. Also, if the wait is similar, does anyone know of another supplier of O1 or similar here in Australia?

Or even better, does anyone have a 6" length of unhardened, unmarked 3" x 1/8" bright steel ( doesn't have to be tool steel ) they would be prepared to sell?

BT

ps. Norris aficionados will notice that the intended cap iron thickness is thinner than the original. The Ray and Josh blade is thicker than the original and I will run into problems with the lever cap if I don't compensate for that thickness.

**scottyd** · 7th February 2013, 12:08 PM

I dont know about O1 specifically, but I bought a couple of rods of S7 from interlloy and they mentioned they stocked plate / sheet of the same. Might be worth a phonecall. It was Albury (NSW) branch for what its worth.

**jack620** · 7th February 2013, 12:11 PM

Bob,
Anything here?

Tool Steel | Interlloy

They have an outlet in Perth. Min order $50.

Chris

Edit- Scotty just beat me too it. They will cut to any size you like provided the combined total of your order is greater than $50.

**Anorak Bob** · 7th February 2013, 12:43 PM

Thanks Boys,

I just spoke to Rachel at Interlloy in Henderson, may as well be Albury it's that far from my place.

She told me they only stock round bar O1. I should look at other grades. I don't know much about tool steels.

The blade is O1. All I had to do was cut it to shape, Ray and Josh performed their magic on it.

I have bought stuff from Interlloy before and they could not have been more obliging.

BT

**BobL** · 7th February 2013, 02:03 PM

What about some 3mm stainless - will brush up nicely and wont rust?

**Anorak Bob** · 7th February 2013, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by BobL

What about some 3mm stainless - will brush up nicely and wont rust?

There is merit in that suggestion Bob. I obviously hadn't thought of stainless. Just looked at my Stirling Stainless catalogue and found that 3mm runs out of puff at 50mm wide. 5mm goes wider but is way too thick.

Bob.

**RayG** · 7th February 2013, 03:06 PM

Hi BT,

Try these guys..$18 for 1/8"x3:x18" Precision Ground O1 Oil Hardening Flat Ground Stock / Tool Steel

For some reason it's cheaper to buy 01 from the US than from Bohler, I think that's where the blade came from as well...

Regards
Ray

**Big Shed** · 7th February 2013, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by RayG

Hi BT,

Try these guys..$18 for 1/8"x3:x18" Precision Ground O1 Oil Hardening Flat Ground Stock / Tool Steel

For some reason it's cheaper to buy 01 from the US than from Bohler, I think that's where the blade came from as well...

Regards
Ray

Bob, if you do decide to buy from Victor Machinery make sure you look at their other stuff as well. They have an amazing range of drills. end mills, reamers, taps, dies etc.

Have spent more than a few dollars there

**Anorak Bob** · 7th February 2013, 04:28 PM

Ray and Fred,

Thanks for the Victor link and info. I had a look at their steel stock list and it looks promising. I'll have another look.

Ray,

I have felt guilty about this project for too long now so I started on the brass lever cap last weekend. I quickly realised that the lever cap can't be positioned and expected to work correctly without the cap iron insitu. Then there are clearance requirements for the blade engagement with the adjuster's banjo. I'm easing into deep water.

I just sent Peter McBride an email begging for enlightment. I hope he hasn't given up on me given the drawn out nature of this simple little project.

BT

**BobL** · 7th February 2013, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

There is merit in that suggestion Bob. I obviously hadn't thought of stainless. Just looked at my Stirling Stainless catalogue and found that 3mm runs out of puff at 50mm wide. 5mm goes wider but is way too thick.

Bob.

It was only a couple of months back that I saw some 3 mm thick SS strips in the skip at work and did not have the time to get into the dumpster and drag them out. Might not have been quite 2.5" wide though, maybe 2" if that. Want me to ask around?

**Anorak Bob** · 7th February 2013, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by BobL

It was only a couple of months back that I saw some 3 mm thick SS strips in the skip at work and did not have the time to get into the dumpster and drag them out. Might not have been quite 2.5" wide though, maybe 2" if that. Want me to ask around?

The blade is 58mm wide Bob. Only if you don't mind asking around.

BT

**rodm** · 7th February 2013, 07:24 PM

Hi Bob,
What about brass? - looks good on hand planes but might not serve the purpose.

**Anorak Bob** · 7th February 2013, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by rodm

Hi Bob,
What about brass? - looks good on hand planes but might not serve the purpose.

Nup, has to be steel. I was tempted to make the lever cap from cast iron thinking the brass was leaning towards bling. I ain't a bling person Young Rod.

**Steamwhisperer** · 7th February 2013, 09:32 PM

Hi Bob,
I have some you can have.
I will check the size but I am sure it is 1/8".

Phil

Yep. I have heaps, actually four pieces 6" wide by 18" long by 1/8"thick

**Anorak Bob** · 7th February 2013, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by Steamwhisperer

Hi Bob,
I have some you can have.
I will check the size but I am sure it is 1/8".

Phil

Hello Phil,

If it is and you can spare some we can organise a trade. I dare say I will have something worthy of trading.

BT

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