Online source for scrap metal: rasps, springs, etc?

G

Gauge7

Joined
Apr 13, 2006
Messages
264
Hello again,

Got another newbie question for you all. Is there a place online that sells old scrap metal such as rasps, files, springs, saw blades and such? I have checked with a few local ferriers and the local scrap yard with no avail. The local lumber mill switched from l6 blades to bimetal (they also want $75 for a used 12" blade). I'm just looking for some inexpensive metal with which I can practice.
Finally got my anvil and I raring to go!:thumbup:

Thanks all!
 
I often pick up used files at pawn shops. Sometimes they'll let you have them 4 for a dollar if they're good and rusty, other times you have to pay up to a dollar for a good one, still pretty cheap. You could always buy some of Aldo's 1084 or get some 5160 or 1080 from Kelly Cupples.
 
You can also try four wheel drive shops, small auto repair places, or junkyards for coil springs or leaf springs. It seems this is less productive these days with the value of scrap steel, but I stopped on the way to the grocery store on Christmas Eve at an auto repair place, and they handed me a Chevy Cavalier coil spring free of charge when I explained why I wanted it.
 
Thanks for the tips and sources, guys! Use to get my files from the flea market, but word got out through the dealers what I was doing with them the prices went from $.25 to $3 and one guy even wanted $7.
 
The winter time is the best time to check auto shops for springs. People often get new springs and tie rods when they have a wreck due to adverse weather conditions. I visit several local shops on a regular basis that let me pick through their metal bin out back for free. Most of the shops in my area let a local metal scrap guy pic it up, so they don't have to deal with the hassle of hauling it to the recycler. I can have all that I want as long as I beat him to the punch.
 
A good source for old files might be a local machine shop, or a saw sharpening shop. Once they dull they are of no use to anyone but us!
 
Old fellas are a great source for files too. My Grandfather pulled out a box full of old rusty files that he kept over the last 25-30 years after I mentioned knifemaking one day at his house. His buddy also had a box full, which he gave me. For some reason, a lot of people keep them, even though they don't really know why.

Ask around. Ask family members and people at your church (If you go to one). Before you know it, you'll have more than you know what to do with. Most people are happy to part with dull or rusty files taking up space in their toolbox.

Also pop into garage sales.
 
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I suggest that you stick with a known steel for now. Get some 1084 or O1 or 5160 and learn it inside and out. Steels the least expensive part of making a knife.
 
Ohh, Scott you are asking for it! I get the feeling elitist steel snobs such as yourself are a minority around here these days. I am in the doghouse here at home after I just finished sawing up my kids bed frames for my next batch of hunters:D.
 
Scott, I understand what you are saying. By using known steels I can have known element with which to work. My only problem is that my setup is a little too primitive to be able to control the soaking times (especially with O1). I mean I can kinda hold the soak temps by way of color, but that isn't very accurate and I'd hate to waste good steel. But I will get some 5160 to play with!

As far as suggesting a local saw shop and mechanic shop, those are great ideas! A new mechanic shop just opened a few miles from me (I live WAY out in the sticks).
 
Go find a place that does pipe welding, a refinery, chemical plat or somewhere they are building something with a lot of welded pipe. Pipe welders use a lot of Nichols or Simmonds half round files about 12" long. Once the edges dull up they toss em. I have about 30 or so in my pile and have seen hundreds hit the metal dumpsters, before I started making knives. I believe the Nichols are W2 as someone spoke with a Nichols rep.

Kevin my bed now sets on some bricks. LOL What do you recommend for the best HT. The frame came with a Beauty Rest mattress
 
Kevin R. Cashen said:
Ohh, Scott you are asking for it! I get the feeling elitist steel snobs such as yourself are a minority around here these days. I am in the doghouse here at home after I just finished sawing up my kids bed frames for my next batch of hunters:D.
Click to expand...

Imagine my neighbors surprise this morning when he went to his car and found that all the springs were cut out of it.
 
Gauge7 said:
Hello again,

Got another newbie question for you all. Is there a place online that sells old scrap metal such as rasps, files, springs, saw blades and such? I have checked with a few local ferriers and the local scrap yard with no avail. The local lumber mill switched from l6 blades to bimetal (they also want $75 for a used 12" blade). I'm just looking for some inexpensive metal with which I can practice.
Finally got my anvil and I raring to go!:thumbup:

Thanks all!
Click to expand...

if you'll pay the shipping i got some 5160 bars that you can have free.....good practice, probably got some farrier rasps as well, and lawn mower blades, etc. wouldnt reccomend you making blades to sell with the stuff, it's good, but new is better when ya start selling.

pm me if interested

andrew
 
You can get 10 series steel very cheap and heat treating isn't as demanding as O1. If you're looking for rasps and whatnot, you're trying to get the knives to harden, so might as well get something that's known, less trial and error. You can buy 1065/1070/1080 etc for very little and then you know how to heat treat every blade you make with the steel. The way the scrap market is going, it's far less appealing price-wise than it once was.
 
Gauge7 said:
Scott, I understand what you are saying. By using known steels I can have known element with which to work. My only problem is that my setup is a little too primitive to be able to control the soaking times (especially with O1). I mean I can kinda hold the soak temps by way of color, but that isn't very accurate and I'd hate to waste good steel. But I will get some 5160 to play with!

As far as suggesting a local saw shop and mechanic shop, those are great ideas! A new mechanic shop just opened a few miles from me (I live WAY out in the sticks).
Click to expand...

Soooooooo...what you're saying is that since you can't control soak times, etc. with a known steel....you'll just go for a mystery steel, where you don't even know what the soak times should be?

See my point? I'm not trying to be sarcastic. Finding a steel to work with, like the 5160 you mention is a great start, and I applaud you for that.
 
"Since the surgery at the MASH was cold and dark, with nothing but whiskey for anesthesia, Hawkeye decided to use a rusty scalpel instead of a good one." - MASH, final episode.

I'm with Scott. Using another unknown surely won't help .

As to your question for an online source for metals and such, try ebay. You can get blade steel, scrap files, springs, whatever.

Many smiths, like Andrew, will gladly give you a starter piece of good steel.

Stacy
 
As Stacy and others here know I am all for using scrap steel.But if your having to go to lengths to get some and pay top dollar for it and are not sure of heat treating your steel then I will have to agree with everybody else.BUY KNOWN STEEL and learn how to work it and how to heat treat it properly,then if you want to play with recycled steel you will have enough knowledge to give it a try and learn how to test and check and learn the mystery steel.It can be fun to do but also a heart ache also...Learning mystery steel will let you be able to make a knife for that guy that shows up at the shop and wants you to make him a knife from one of Grandpas old files,but if using recycled metal isnt going to work for you,you will know it eal quick and then you will be glad you have known steel..........The best use for mystery steel is guards and such if you dont know what your doing or know exactly what it is.........now get some steel and start hammering,lol
Bruce
 
Thanks Andrew, sent you an email!

You guys are absolutely right. Scott, you really got me thinking. I'll stick with the known element with the exception of the rasps (they just make such great hawks).

Thanks again for all of the great advice!
 
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