Wrought Iron Sale

Tommegow

Tommegow

Joined
Dec 16, 2004
Messages
678
I came accross these people over on Don Fogg's Forum.
I have no vested interest in this company, just passing it along

We are in the process of dismantling the 1887 Globe Elevator near the Duluth-Superior Harbor and reclaiming its old-growth pine. Among its other treasures are several hundred thousand pounds of real wrought iron rods, ranging from 5/8 to 1.5 inches in diameter, up to 14 inches long. We also have flat bars a millions of wrought (square) nails. Prices start at $2 per pound. Call to check inventory.

Wisconson Woodchuck LLC
2 Banks Ave, P.O. Box 97, Superior, WI, 54880-0097
Phone: (715) 392-5110
Fax: (715) 392-5112
jperes@aol.com
www.wisconsinwoodchuck.net
Tom
So.Ga.
Here is the pic of their cut & tear test Mz Judy Peres sent me (5/8" rod)
 
Can 1 1/2" diameter wrought iron be formed into 1/8-3/16" flat stock with a press? If so...what would temp need to be to work it and what, if anything, happens to the structure of the iron. Does wrought iron work harden or ecxactly what happens to the grain? Thanks
 
John L said:
Can 1 1/2" diameter wrought iron be formed into 1/8-3/16" flat stock with a press? If so...what would temp need to be to work it and what, if anything, happens to the structure of the iron. Does wrought iron work harden or ecxactly what happens to the grain? Thanks
Click to expand...

You can forge wrought just fine, but you need to make sure you do it at high heats. If you worge it at less than a high-orange heat it's likely to delaminate along some of the inclusions within. Wrought will not harden at all, it's just Iron with impurities left in it (that's what creates the "grain" pattern). Forging 1 1/2" bar down to 3/16" thick will stretch the pattern out and make it more fine.

-d
 
Their faq claims that a minimum order is $1000. Maybe if a bunch of us (or one steel baron) go in on an order?
 
dlpierson said:
Their faq claims that a minimum order is $1000. Maybe if a bunch of us (or one steel baron) go in on an order?
Click to expand...

From The Wisconsin Company
we also have a "special" on now - five-pound bundles of foot-long 5/8" rods for $42 delivered (which includes the shipping and handling) and 10-pound bundles for $59 delivered.
if you want short lengths (up to 13"), we can send up to 70 lbs anywhere in the u.s. for a shipping-and-handling fee of $19.50. longer lengths (up to 6 feet) can be sent by ups or fedex ground relatively inexpensively, but we have to price each order individually.
probably the best deal right now for a small order is to take one of the "specials" and add in a couple of 12" rods (or bars) of different sizes, which would not add anything to the shipping and handling.
for instance, you could get 5 lbs of 5/8" rod (5 one-foot pieces) plus 8 lbs of 1-1/4" rod (2 one-foot pieces) for $62 delivered. or 5 lbs. of 5/8" rods plus 4 lbs of flat bar for $58. or 10 lbs. of 5/8" rod plus 5 lbs of 1" rod for $78. you get the idea. you can mix and match 1-foot lengths of whatever you want as long as you start with one of the specials and you don't exceed 70 lbs overall.
I just placed an order for $37.50 via paypal
Tom
So.Ga.
 
Wrought will not harden at all, it's just Iron with impurities left in it (that's what creates the "grain" pattern).
Click to expand...

1) Like most any iron based product (as well as most non-ferrous) WI does and can work harden - if it does

2) WI is not all the same - it can and often does contain carbon - it was made from cast iron pigs with an original high carbon content and was then heat and beat to burn off the carbon. While "technically" it should be below 3 points of carbon (by some definitons at least), I and others have had WI with carbon up to the 5-6 point range, unusual yes but it was WI with it's normal fibrous grain structure and not steel.

3) Most often that grain pattern shows up in the lower grades of WI such as used in wagon wheel rims. The higher grades, such as used on bridge parts, are often disappointing to folks since it generally does not etch out with those interesting grain patterns. The higher grades were the same basic make up as the lower, just heat and beat more often to rid it of impurites - you can do teh same thing to "improve" the quality when/if need be

FWIW - I've been using wrought for 40+ years and know it well - working it hot is generally good advice.......
 
Wild Rose said:
1) Like most any iron based product (as well as most non-ferrous) WI does and can work harden - if it does

2) WI is not all the same - it can and often does contain carbon - it was made from cast iron pigs with an original high carbon content and was then heat and beat to burn off the carbon. While "technically" it should be below 3 points of carbon (by some definitons at least), I and others have had WI with carbon up to the 5-6 point range, unusual yes but it was WI with it's normal fibrous grain structure and not steel.

3) Most often that grain pattern shows up in the lower grades of WI such as used in wagon wheel rims. The higher grades, such as used on bridge parts, are often disappointing to folks since it generally does not etch out with those interesting grain patterns. The higher grades were the same basic make up as the lower, just heat and beat more often to rid it of impurites - you can do teh same thing to "improve" the quality when/if need be

FWIW - I've been using wrought for 40+ years and know it well - working it hot is generally good advice.......
Click to expand...

thats what i was worried about with the large stock they have. by the time you get it to a usable size you might have worked out all the impurity's out of the iron leaving you hardly any pattern.
 
I saw this on Don's site.

I think the STORY is way cool. The photos of the elevator are awesome. I googled it and found some more.

A wood structure like that... 150 feet tall. Awe inspiring...

I'd be interested to see how this WI finishes out.
 
They have a variety of sizes. As I recall, round in 5/8", 3/4", 7/8" 1", 1.25" and 1.5". They also have bar stock in 1/4" X 2" and 1/4" X 3". The prices vary by the pound, depending on the stock, from $2 (the 1.5") to around $6 per pound (the 5/8"). The bar is $4 per pound. They have a chart all worked out. Just email them. I picked up a bit, but it will be a while before I get to it, and, when I do, it'll be my first time with WI.
 
Hey Phyl, I googled the wisconsin co but can't find this site. Do you have a phone # or a web site?
james7729
 
I emailed first, and then called Judy today. She was very helpful.

I am sending them a check for $99, and they will, in turn, send me 10 # of 5/8" rods (which coincidentally is 10 - 5/8" X 12" rods) and 4 - 1-1/4" X 12" rods (that includes the flat-rate shipping).

I'm excited to see how it works out. I already had a bunch of WI, but I liked being able to give its EXACT history when it's completed on a knife.... and that Globe Elevator is just cool as hell. :cool:

Maybe when I get some other stuff done, I can do a little photo tag-along of forging this stuff down and making a guard and indexed spacer with it. (did 'ya hear that Fitz???) ;) :D
 
I have rolled WI in a huge macdonald rolling mill it rolls well. Just be carefull about the thickness. I left mine closer to 1/4 in thich so i had some room to trim the lumps.
 
Got my order sat. Forges like butter. Moves well under the hammer. Has a great patteren when etched.
Tom thanks alot for the link. Great stuff.
 
Got the 5/8 . I'll post some pics as soon as I get out in the shop. Possibly tomorrow night. Its pretty rusty I sandblasted it before forgeing.
 
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