Working CPM 154 with files?

A

Atama

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How hard is CPM 154 to work with files only (stock removal)? Anything special I need to do (or NOT do) to make removing material easier? Let me know what you think.
 
long as its anealed it's fine. Done it a few times myself, its not fun, but totally doable. Make sure you read up on Draw Filining first.
 
I know that it is not your question, but do you have means of heat treating it? A good tip that Nick Wheeler told me is to clamp the work to angle iron that is in a vise. Really cuts down on flex. Other than that, use sharp files and clean them frequently with a file card.
 
Keith_H said:
I know that it is not your question, but do you have means of heat treating it? A good tip that Nick Wheeler told me is to clamp the work to angle iron that is in a vise. Really cuts down on flex. Other than that, use sharp files and clean them frequently with a file card.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately (or fortunately perhaps:)) I will have to send it our to be heat treated.

Munky88- how would you recommend I anneal the 154?

Thanks guys. I plan to start this project next week. Also, I was thinking o fordering the 154 from Mr Mickley, but he only has 1 1/2" widths available. Does anybody know where I can get 2" widths for reasonable $?

I am getting excited about getting into this project!
 
If you don't have the equipment to HT then you can't anneal it either. But it comes annealed so that shouildn't be a problem .
 
Nothing unfortunate about it - you'll know the HT is right, good for you. As everyone else said, CPM154 comes quite soft, you'll be fine.
 
CPM 154 is designed to machine well, so when it's annealed (should be just fine when you buy it), it works great.

--nathan
 
not sure which files you have but if you get a multi-kut file they remove metal at a pretty fast rate.
 
Magicut files (from Nicholson) are great for getting you down to where you want to be. They cut cleanly and aggressively. Try one, you'll be hooked!! Here's a link to a site describing how it works.

Then use some finer flat files to draw file and clean everything up nice and neat. Sharp files are a must and keep them clean with a file card. The CPM154 doesn't file as easily as some other steels, but it's not that bad.
 
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silver_pilate said:
CPM 154 is designed to machine well, so when it's annealed (should be just fine when you buy it), it works great.
--nathan
Click to expand...

Darn right. I just got done grinding some CPM154 and will say it works as easy, or easier than any other steel I've worked with, including 1080 and 1095.
It doesn't seem to heat up nearly as quickly, either.

Should be a very good choice to use with hand-tools. :thumbup:
 
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