Need Steel--But Just a Little

Archie

Archie

Gold Member
Joined
Oct 4, 1998
Messages
245
I am looking to try my hand at knife making, and need a source for just a small quantity of steel to experiment with before investing in a large quantity. I have tried the local machine shop looking for scraps, but they only work in mild steel. Does anyone know where I can get a couple of pieces of simple carbon tool steel (O-1, 5160, 1095, etc) about 1/8" X 1"-1.5" X 7" to 9". It also needs to be annealed.
 
You can always get precision ground steel from any of the usual suppliers in various quantities. Admiral Steel has a website. Also consider Sheffield's, Texas Knifemaker's Supply, Jantz, Koval, etc. Another source is your local junkyard. I think that lawnmower blades may be 5160. Leaf springs from cars is usable, too. Also, contact some mills if you are in that sort of area, and see if you can get ahold of old planer blades and that sort of thing.
Steve
 
Lawn mower blades aren't always 5160 and car and planer blades aren't usually annealed however if you find a compact car spring you can anneal it your self without too much trouble. Find some zonealite insulation material(enough to fill a metal five gallon bucket) and then a magnet. Heat the piece of steel up (entire piece)with a ox-acet. torch
until it is no longer magnetic and put it down into the zonealite and let it cool to room temp. It may take a couple of times to get it properly annealed.
 
Well, for the most part, the least amount of steel most places will sell you is 18 inches. MSC Supply sells both O1 and A2 and D2. And I just got in the mail small catalog that advertises 35% off O1 and A2 from Starret for the month of june, great prices.

For an 18x1 1/4X1/8 in O1 is $8.01

In A2 it is $11.97

Sincerely,
Adam

------------------
Self improvement is a hobby of mine :).

 
I would go with Chiro75s advice...not only will you want to get more/but these guys have everything you need....send for a catalog from all of them
 
Thats right, 1-800-645-7270. You might also want to request one of there catalogs from their website. They are huge. And Free!

Their website is http://www.Msc-direct.com/

Just click on the big catalog to ask for one.

Sincerely,
Adam

------------------
Self improvement is a hobby of mine :).

 
I was so excited about the 35% off Starrett
O-1 and A2 sale at MSC, that I placed a lenghty order on their secure on-line form. To make a long story short, the MSC on-line
order system is broken. Phone or fax. Don't
waste your time on-line.
 
I found out about their 35% sales the hard way - I placed an ad here and in the RCM newsgroup to sell some 3/16" stock that I had purchased awhile ago. Turns out I way overpaid. To add insult to injury, the RCM guys fired up their flamethrowers. Youch!

Mike
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top