Are there any places in the Charlotte area (in NC) that I can go get some steel spark tested?

[Colby Tucker]

I have a bunch of different scrap steel and I'm curious if I got anything good. Some things like some chisels I know could be good steel, but it would be nice to know what grade of steel it is so I know exactly what all it can be used for. Hoping there is a place I can take it so that I don't have wait until I have time to learn spark testing myself.

 

[A.McPherson]

Hey Colby, spark testing is really not a very good test to determine grade. All it can do is give you an idea about the amount of carbon in the steel.

It's certainly not definitive in any way. If you want to know the type of steel you'll need to send it off to a lab and get it tested.

All in all is cheaper just to buy the grade of steel you want from a reputable dealer.

If you really just want to use the stuff, heat it up to just past non-magnetic, then let it cool in air. Test it with a file, if the file doesn't bite, it's an air hardening steel.
If it doesn't harden, then do the same thing with a fast oil like parks 50, test again with a file.
If that doesn't work try it again, then quench in brine, if that doesn't get it hard then it's some kind of mild steel or iron.

Good luck!!