Is this stuff too thick?

J

Jemblade

Joined
Aug 29, 2013
Messages
143
Hey guys. I ordered a bar of .153" 1084 from Aldo. At the time of my order they didn't show anything in stock for 1/8", which I have previously worked with. At the time I was thinking, "aaaaahh, what's .028" more?". Then I saw it. I realized how much thicker it is and how much more steel there is. What do you guys think? Should I give this stuff a shot? It's all about learning right?... Right?:nightmare:

Or am I totally in over my head with this stuff?

By the way I am doing this by hand.
 
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.028 isn't really that much more. 3/16" is .1825 and that is not too thick of stock. .153" should do fine
 
Jemblade said:
Hey guys. I ordered a bar of .153" 1084 from Aldo. At the time of my order they didn't show anything in stock for 1/8", which I have previously worked with. At the time I was thinking, "aaaaahh, what's .028" more?". Then I saw it. I realized how much thicker it is and how much more steel there is. What do you guys think? Should I give this stuff a shot? It's all about learning right?... Right?:nightmare:

Or am I totally in over my head with this stuff?

By the way I am doing this by hand.
Click to expand...

Once you have it profiled, you could probably figure eight it down a bit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNdaJs2AkUg
 
If 3 hundredths look like a huge difference, maybe the steel is quite a bit thicker? Have you measured with calipers?
 
PT Doc said:
If 3 hundredths look like a huge difference, maybe the steel is quite a bit thicker? Have you measured with calipers?
Click to expand...

Calipers. One of the many tools in my To Get list. But with a measuring tape it looks to be just a hair under 1/32". Or as accurately as I can tell.
 
Jemblade said:
Calipers. One of the many tools in my To Get list. But with a measuring tape it looks to be just a hair under 1/32". Or as accurately as I can tell.
Click to expand...

1/32" is .03125". A human hair is around .002" in diameter. That would make your steel .02925... Which is way too thin!
 
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Macchina said:
1/32" is .03125". A human hair is around .002" in diameter. That would make your steel .02925... Which is way too thin!
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I misspoke. I apologize. I meant around 1/32" larger than the 1/8" a have grown accustomed to dealing with. Either way I will work with it and make something out of it.
 
Jemblade said:
Calipers. One of the many tools in my To Get list. But with a measuring tape it looks to be just a hair under 1/32". Or as accurately as I can tell.
Click to expand...


If you have a Harbor Freight store nearby you can pick up a decent digital caliper there for around $11. I love mine. If not you can always get it from their website. A lot of Aldo's stuff is over-sized so it will clean up to standard sizes.
 
i4Marc said:
If you have a Harbor Freight store nearby you can pick up a decent digital caliper there for around $11. I love mine. If not you can always get it from their website. A lot of Aldo's stuff is over-sized so it will clean up to standard sizes.
Click to expand...

I do have a HF near me. I will be getting them from their when I get around to it. Just starting out I am really having to pace myself for tools and materials. I have heard about Aldo over sizing stuff, so I will keep that in mind. Thanks!
 
It's not so much that Aldo "oversizes" stuff... it comes that way from the rolling mill so that once you get rid of the scale you have the thickness you need. Especially since you're working with hand tools, next time you order, call and ask him to surface grind the mill scale off for you. It only costs a few bucks and saves a heckuva lotta time :thumbup:
 
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