[TheForge] Subject: Suggestions needed for scroungeable steel

[Kenneth Mayer]

>Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2003 10:52:13 -0500
>From: "Bruce Freeman" <FREEMAB@pt.fdah.com>
>
>I'm designing another treadle hammer, a lightweight job.  I want the ram
>to be 20#.  What would be ideal is square or roundstock of about 2
>sq.in. in cross-section (i.e., 2" square or 2.25" round) and about 18"
>long.
>
>Ideally, the material would be suitable for use as a hammer, with
>ordinary hardening & tempering.  Exotic materials not needed, but mild
>steel wouldn't be appropriate unless faced with tool steel (a
>possibility I'd prefer to avoid).


You could case-harden the tip.

>Since I prefer to design in scroungeable materials, I could use some
>suggestions as to sources of such steel.  The truck axles I've seen are
>of smaller diameter than this (though I've seen tractors with axles of
>3" dia.).  Track pins seem to be shorter than this - like 8" or so.
>Anyone have any other suggestions - preferably of materials you'd have
>no particular trouble scrounging yourself?


Since you're in NJ, have you tried Fazzio's?
http://www.ordermetals.com/index.html or www.josephfazzioinc.com
Its located just east of Glassboro, and easy to find, just off Atlantic City
Expressway exit 41, or drive east from Glassboro on Glassboro-Cross Keys
Road.  If driving south through the center of Glassboro, just turn left at
the KFC restaurant (iirc "New Street", which changes name).  Steel is
~$0.25/lb; aluminum, stainless steel and brass are more; nuts and bolts are
$1.00/lb.  They're open M-F and Saturday morning.  Plan to spend an entire
day the first time you go.  Don't forget to check out the second floors of
the warehouses.

Ken
:-)