Leaded steel?

M

mad bodhi

Joined
Nov 7, 2004
Messages
86
Last year I bought a bunch of 20 ft long rounds and hex of various 10XX series steels my local steel supplier was clearancing out.I was just gathering stuff to learn forging and I bought all they had.Included was a 1' or so round stock length of 12L14.Like a newb I didn't think to mark my steels.:eek:.The carbon steels I at least have some idea how to id them,spark/hardening test.But what of the 12L14.Anything I should look for to identify? Does this steel have any use in bladesmithing or is it best set aside for machining whenever I get bit by that bug?I promise from now on to mark every bit of known steel that comes to my hand.Thanks all.
 
The free machining grades use sulfur, phosphorous, or lead .In any case they are limited in how much they can be worked hot or cold. It's best just used as intended - machining !
 
Isn't 12L14 used in muzzle loading barrels? I have not used any of it, but have heard of folks forging it to use for gaurds and such.
 
As Mete pointed out 12L14 is meant to be a free machining steel. It can be case hardened. This could be used for fixtures and blued or cased for a neat effect. ID, the best way I would do it is to machine a piece. 12L cuts like butter to a machinist. THe difference between 12L and mild is huge.
 
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