Thread: Scraping Class in Melbourne

I just got off the phone with Flocast. Despite what’s on there website. They keep absolutely bugger all Rectangular bar there now. Whatever they had they sold off several years ago. The guy told me they had just done stock take for the end of year and there’s none there, not even scrap’s. So we struck out there. He did suggest I try Global Metals. I’ll try them next.

In other news, Marko rang me out of the blue this morning, he only rings me when he wants something. Wanted to now how the planning was coming along. He sounded keen as mustard. Almost disappointed when I told him in probably wont be until November.
He’s coming to see me tomorrow on another matter, so I’ll talk to him some more then.

Phil.

Global Metals has gotten back to me.

They have 108 x 31 here in Melbourne. I’m thinking that’s too slender.

They have 108 x 55mm in Perth. We can machine that down to 100 x 50mm or 2” x 4” x 6” long. That would be a nice size, some of you guys might think that’s large, but you need some surface area to get your teeth into.

So I think I’ve got a lead on some iron stock.

Regards Phil.

Originally Posted by Machtool

Global Metals has gotten back to me.

They have 108 x 31 here in Melbourne. I’m thinking that’s too slender.

They have 108 x 55mm in Perth. We can machine that down to 100 x 50mm or 2” x 4” x 6” long. That would be a nice size, some of you guys might think that’s large, but you need some surface area to get your teeth into.

So I think I’ve got a lead on some iron stock.

Regards Phil.

I've got about 2m of continuous cast 100mm dia round bar cast iron. Could cut some slices off of it. It's really nice stuff.

I have to talk to my local foundry guy when I get back to Hobart in August (little matter of collecting a pile of bronze porthole castings). I know I can get cast iron done. Not as nice as the durabar stuff I expect but still, possible to get in say 150x150x50 chunks, nice little surface plate size.

Also I've got a number of patterns for angle plates etc I made 20+ years ago, happy to see about getting castings done again from them. They're 100x100 and 150x150 IRC.

PDW

I was just in Bohler, they said ask Flocast. So thats not a lot of help.

Picked up a couple of XU1 sawsalls from bunnings today. wow they are loud!

Silly question. Would 2 x 3 x 6" blocks be more usefull than 2 x 4 x 6"? The 2" and 3" sides would match up with 1 x 2 x 3" blocks.(Iguess not or someone would be making them already)

Stuart

Originally Posted by Stustoys

Silly question. Would 2 x 3 x 6" blocks be more usefull than 2 x 4 x 6"? The 2" and 3" sides would match up with 1 x 2 x 3" blocks.

Stuart

2-4-6 is just a double sized 1-2-3. I like the idea of having a 4 inch wide face to start on, you need some area to work on and get a feel for flat.

And secondly, they were the only option’s, they only have those two sizes left. The 31mm wide one would end up like a 1 x 4 by what ever length we cut them at. Too slender to give you a good second face to work on.

I just got the quote back from them, and I nearly fell off my chair. By my back of the envelop calculating, a 150mm long cut section, will cost close to $40 per chunk. That’s my quoted price.

I figure everyone needs a pair of them, 2 pieces each. That’s $80 bucks just there.

I don’t expect we can do any better by getting Durabar out of the States.

I asked them to quote me on 4 length’s. They have them @ 1890 long. 4 length’s go 371 Kg’s, but the freight was good, $60 from Perth to here.

That’s good news for Bob & Alan. That’s 200 kilo’s each of Cast Iron, checked baggage you don’t have to bring over with you.

I can trim that order down to 3 length’s, but those prices are based on what I can get out of each length (12) at 150mm /6" long.

Phil.

Hi Phil, I was thinking of getting a raw cast iron master square casting from the US and scraping that on the day... That would mean I would not need a block....

I was also thinking of doing a mock up V and flat way section to talk about how one goes about scraping that....

The squares look like this.. I think they are 12" a side.... I can pre-machine and scrape one side prior to coming to the class..

There is a very good mob right close to me who do specialist castings. In the past, they specialized in aluminium bronze, and a few other non-ferrous alloys, but have joined forces with a small foundry in NZ and now do high quality cast iron as well. I can make a pattern easily enough. I will talk to them tomorrow or Thurs. & get a ballpark on prices. I believe that they can supply castings stress relieved with no fanfare. At least the cost of throwing some iron all the way across the pacific won't be an issue (only floating across the Tasman).

Michael

Originally Posted by .RC.

Hi Phil, I was thinking of getting a raw cast iron master square casting from the US and scraping that on the day... That would mean I would not need a block....

I was also thinking of doing a mock up V and flat way section to talk about how one goes about scraping that....

The squares look like this.. I think they are 12" a side.... I can pre-machine and scrape one side prior to coming to the class..

RC, I'm interested in getting one of those too. Can you let me know details?

GQ

Hi,
I have contacted all intending participants with a few more questions and proposals. Please get back to me (e-mail preferred).
But for additional interested people, I'll summarise here:
After some discussion about the details already provided, we are discussing the idea of splitting the class in running two classes:
A beginners' class - perhaps as early as September - for those of us who have no or little prior experience. That class would focus on scraping techniques, tools, blueing, reading the blue, scraoing a flat, scraping a right angle and some demos of other techniques (mottling, half-mooning and prcision measuring). The aim would be to learn to scrape an accurate flat, an accurate right angle flat, good technique and practcal skills development. These goals vcan all be met by scraping or starting to scrape a precision parallel block (or similar object) to take home.
Phil suggests that any participants without a project that meets these requuirements would buy machined and/or ground good quality cast iron blocks which he can source and prepare for us. The expected cost is $45 each.

The second class - mid-November - will be a "master class" for people with scraping experience. The focus will be machine survey, precision measuring, scraping to alignment and special techniques such as decorative scapring, oilways etc. (not finalised yet).
In this class, participants would be invited to bring machine parts or projects and tools which meet these aims.

Some participants of the first class may wish to continue in the second class. The limit for both will be around 10-12 people.

The cost will include fees for the teacher(s), some disposables (ink, towels, etc), food and refreshments. FInal cost is not yet determined.

In either case, two working days is not enough to complete complex or large projects, but sufficient to gain enough insight to continue at home/work.
This forum will remain a great resource to exchange learnings of participants long after the classes are done and dusted.

I look forward to meeting you in person there!
Cheers,
Joe

RC,
+1 for the above.

Stuart

Hi Stuart,

Do you have one of those Sandvik Coromant scrapers? I'm after some measurements in particular the dimensions of the main portion of the holder, from the pictures it looks like about 25mm x 6mm, I assume it's hardened and is it stiff? or does it need to be a bit springy?

Regards
Ray

I will post the info about the square... But beware they are 10" X 2".. I think a new learner would struggle to finish one at the class to the required accuracy.... And unless you have access to a master granite square you would not be able to easily finish it at a later date...They would be good for an intermediate scraper though..

The square are from Martin Model in the US, they are not on their website... They cost US$45 and weigh 17 pounds... So postage to AU would be around $60 in a flat rate box...They accept paypal..

Martin Model & Pattern - your online source for fine quality patterns and castings

Hi Ray,
Close, its 25x5mm. It doesnt "feel" any different to some 30x5mm black I have here but I'm old and weak. I couldnt comment on what it "needs to be" as other than this one I have only ever used an old file.
edit Hi RC, thanks for the info.

Stuart

Originally Posted by .RC.

.... And unless you have access to a master granite square you would not be able to easily finish it at a later date.

Richard, speaking of which this is also something that I'm considering.

shars.com - 10quot x 6quot x 1quot Precision Granite Square

It turns out they don't have stock of the granite angle plate, so it will be either this or the cylindrical square I'll finish up buying. I just need to sit down and juggle the items on the "wish list" to get the best value out of the 20 lb pre-paid box.

Pete