Cast Iron Grades

[kspringer80]

I've already purchased some cast iron material to make a small C.I. piston from but the different cast iron options available got me thinking... I have plenty of experience with the varying grades of aluminum and steel, but have not had any experience with cast iron at work. The supplier I purchased mine from had two different grades of round stock available "Easy-to-Machine Gray Cast Iron" and "Impact-Resistant Ductile Cast Iron" (I went with ductile.)

As a general topic what separates these different grades when it comes to intended application and machining?

 

[Jasonb]

Unfortunately its the grey iron you want for that and most model needs, the ductile iron is useful where there is a risk of cracking such as a crankshaft or axle.

I'll leave it to someone in the US to talk grades as our code numbers are different.

J

 

[Philjoe5]

For quite a bit of information about cast iron grades this website is good:

http://www.dura-bar.com/products/

I have access to a distributor that sells me cut offs at scrap prices. I've used both "gray iron" and "ductile iron". They both machine well in all the grades I get, though often cut offs are unidentified.

Cheers,
Phil

 

[kquiggle]

Phil - that looks like a good resource. From their website, it looks like they do not sell direct; any idea which if their re-sellers is "hobbyist-friendly?"

 

[Philjoe5]

I see you're located in Michigan. See if there's a local distributor from those listed here:

http://www.dura-bar.com/distributors/

If you are lucky one of the plant managers will let you tap the scrap bins.

Durabar also makes continuously cast bearing bronze. I get bronze bearing (SAE 660) stock at $3/lb? My guy is only 25 miles away so I visit often.

Enco sells durabar cast iron but it's expensive, then there's shipping! Ouch.

Good luck

Phil

 

[pkastagehand]

Alro ( http://www.alro.com/divsteel/metalsgridcastiron_bars.aspx ) has gray and ductile cast iron bars, tubes and sheets.

Here is a link to their locations:

http://www.alro.com/locations/locationsmain.aspx

Paul

I suppose I should add the disclaimer that I have no affiliation other than that I have purchased a few bits and pieces from them over the years.

 

[kspringer80]

Thanks for the good info guys. I may order some grey as well, I don't mint the material stock growing a bit more. It's easy to hide another 12" piece from the fiance

Paul, it looks like one of the Alro locations is about 4 miles from work. I'll stop by and take a look at them.

 

[kquiggle]

Checked the Enco website - they sell "gray iron" in 12 inch lengths; no mention of Dura-bar specifically. Enco often has free shipping offers - that's when I sometimes buy raw metal from them

kspringer80 - I live near an Alro outlet also. If you visit them please let us know what you find out. I plan to visit my local Alro in the next few weeks - I'll report back here on my findings.

 

[kvom]

I've purchased grey iron bar from Enco, and it was good quality. Easy to machine.

 

[pkastagehand]

I should add that some of the Alro places are plastic instead of metal (mergers with both metal and plastic companies in the past I think).

 

[kquiggle]

Just visited my local Alro retail outlet (Kalamazoo, MI. Here's a quick overview of what they have:

Large selection of metal stock, both pre-cut lengths and drops, including stainless steel, CRS, HRS, brass, copper, Al, painted Al sheet, expanded steel sheet, decorative wrought iron, plastic of various kinds (including drops), a somewhat random variety of tools (including individual number and letter drills), fluids (lubricating, cutting), etc.

Here are a few prices I jotted down (these are for "randoms" or "drops"), priced per pound:

Stainless steel $3.15
Cold rolled steel $1.25
Brass and copper $5.99
Plastic $2.65
Aluminum $2.99
Carbon steel sheets $0.99
1/4" drill rod (per 6ft. length) $4.94
Tool steel and alloys $1.99

These prices look pretty good to me - especially since I can avoid shipping costs (of course, still have 6% sales tax in Michigan).

 

[Swifty]

Tool steel and alloys are a very good price, over here in Australia they are between $10 and $18 approx.
That's per kilo or 2.2 pounds.
Paul.

 

[Wizard69]

Tool steel and alloys are a very good price, over here in Australia they are between $10 and $18 approx. That's per kilo or 2.2 pounds. Paul.

In the US we would call that highway robbery. Of course I don't know what the exchange rate is but $18 just sounds very expensive.

 

[kquiggle]

By coincidence, I just found out that the Hobby Machinist keeps track of new Enco codes - see here:

http://www.****************.com/sho...count-Code-of-the-Month!?highlight=enco+codes

or

http://goo.gl/SWIxcZ