5160

[Walt2]

I have a piece of 5160 that I got from TKS. It cuts rather easy (I think) with a hacksaw, but it will dull even the good blades pretty quickly. Is this steel usually rough on saw blades?

 

[rlinger]

It is used as a spring steel. I wouldn't think it be hardened past the mid 40's, if yours is hardened for that purpose. However, I think anything past 28 RC is not looked at as machinable. I could be way off base too. Never used the stuff, yet.

Roger

 

[Galloglas]

I use 5160 a lot and profile my blades with a hack saw....most of the steel I use is hot rolled. It can be a tough one on saw blades if it is the least bit hard. And 5160 tends to want to get hard very easily, especially under a dull drill bit.

The least amount of heat while drilling seems to harden the spot you are drilling and make it tough to keep the bit cutting. I have noticed that a hack saw blade seems to go dull much quicker cutting 5160 than it does with 1050 or 1084.

But these things are highly subjective and variable.

Brian

 

[fitzo]

Use cutting fluids, both sawing and drilling.

 

[C L Wilkins]

You could always profile it with "hammer, heat, and anvil"...

 

[BRTATCK]

Hey Walt, I second the cutting fluids and go slow. It is tough stuff even annealed, I think it has to do with the chromium content. But like Mr. Wilkins said it works real well with a hammer, forge, and anvil.

 

[Gib Guignard]

I use a Burr King and a 36G belt.
Gib

 

[Jeff Clark]

Is there any reason not to anneal it, just in case?

 

[Walt2]

It was my understanding that it was annealed and as easy as it cuts, it probably is. It just surprised me how quickly it dulled saw blades. I wasn't using any cutting fluids, which would have helped I am sure. I am through with the sawing. Now, when I get time, I am going to try my hand at making a couple of blades.