will 4140 work

Evan Martin

Evan Martin

Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
521
I am looking for steel locally and I should know better when everyone around here orders their steel but I'm getting tired of it. Will 4140 steel work it is the only "spring steel" to be found around here.
 
Can you post a bit more information about what you plan to make with
the steel,(springs, blades, guards..?), and what tools/ heat treat equipment you have to work with..?
 
Not enough carbon for a good quality blade. If you are looking for cheap material and are forging then try some leaf springs. Just be willing to play with them to get the HT right. A rack of leaf springs will last you a very long time. But I would rather purchase 20' of 5160 from Pacific. Still inexpensive, last time I checked, and that way you will know what you have.
 
Hevy...
4140 would not make much of a cutter. the best choices for forge heat
treating, would be along the lines of 1080, or 5160. They're available in
vary small quantities from knife suppliers, or perhaps from individuals
on these forums.

If that's not an option, your best bet would probably be leaf springs
and files.



NOTE...A.C. answered while I was writing...
 
4140 is best for hammers and 'hawks. blades should be .60 carbon or higher .Can't you find 5160, 9260,1070 and others ??
 
Makes one helluva anvil too :)

If you're going to forge, please please please buy good forging steel. It's hard to help people when they post "i'm forging out some 970987093 steel, I think it's 9870987, and am having trouble with the heat treat." A bar of good steel is inexpensive and going to save you a lot of money in time, headaches and heartburn.

Heavy, pm your address I think I have a bar of 1095 you can have.
 
The company making the Jefferson Spivey knives is using 4130 and they claim "It's the best wildernes survival knife ever made".:barf:
 
thanks everyone I understand what your saying that was my first thought but it never hurts to try The only reason I want to use local was to save some on shipping but no one around here carries 1095 or the like which is what I have been using so I guess I'm stuck with ordering it. and Will thanks I'll take it if you don't need it
 
hevy ev's said:
thanks everyone I understand what your saying that was my first thought but it never hurts to try The only reason I want to use local was to save some on shipping but no one around here carries 1095 or the like which is what I have been using so I guess I'm stuck with ordering it. and Will thanks I'll take it if you don't need it
Click to expand...


Heavy, shoot me a private email with your shipping information.
 
I always get a chuckle when someone says, " I can't get 1095,5160,etc. ..around here." Unless you are in the outback, or Canada ( almost the same thing I hear.) there is a spring shop,or a machine shop, or a Fastenal, or a post office near you.

If you look in the phone book under 1095, I suspect you will come up blank.
If you look in the phone book under a variety of metal trades and suppliers you will be amazed at what is near you. The Internet is another good way to find suppliers near you.

If I recall, Brandon is a few minutes drive from Jackson. There are probably 50 places you could buy blade steel in Jackson.

Here are some that should do:
http://www.buildingtradesdir.com/guilds/mississippi/Mississippi_steel/mississippi_steel.html
Stacy
 
well the fastenal was new to me I thought they just had bolts and I tried to call every steel place in the book but everyone just carries mild steel even the spring and blade store told me the only thing they have was 4140 the guy sounded like an idiot or either he just didn't want to help me
 
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