cgd
Active Member
Posts: 26
|
Post by cgd on Mar 19, 2021 22:07:27 GMT
I have a potential project coming up that would require a part machining from a steel disc of 230 mm diameter, part thickness will be about 40mm. EN1A would be the preferred grade, although any steel reasonably amenable to turning and milling would be acceptable. The part will have a through bore of about 165mm, so a very heavy wall tubing may suffice.
Does anyone have any suggestions where stock of this diameter or larger in short lengths might be obtained, preferably in the Midlands, but any suggestions welcome. I fully accept that special set-up and cutting charges will probably apply for commercial sources.
Thanks in advance for any assistance.
|
|
|
|
Post by springcrocus on Mar 19, 2021 22:55:37 GMT
You will find very few sources for large diameter steel and those you do find will probably knock you off your stool as your jaw drops at the price. For many years, the favoured way forward would have been flame-cut blanks from 40mm plate but modern water-jetting and laser may now be available at these thicknesses. You will probably need to use EN3B / 070M20 as I doubt that plate is available in EN1A / 230M07
Good luck in sourcing this material.
Regards, Steve
|
|
|
|
Post by Roger on Mar 19, 2021 23:52:23 GMT
You might like to try Rudgwick Metals, they can source just about anything. A slice off something near a 230mm diameter bar ought to be cheap enough, you can get bar in much bigger sizes than that.
Just tell them what the finished size needs to be and what material you want and let them offer you what they can.
|
|
jasonb
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,209
|
Post by jasonb on Mar 20, 2021 7:26:53 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by ettingtonliam on Mar 20, 2021 9:08:30 GMT
Try RapidMetals at 10 Madeley Road Redditch, Worcs, tel 01527 69566 (but not today, they close on Saturdays!)
I used them a lot in the past, they will cut to whatever length you want, usually while you wait. Don't know if they do postal delivery though. Cast iron in square and round up to about 300mm, steel, various grades, and aluminium. They have an offcuts section too, where you can browse.
A helpful bunch of chaps,
|
|
|
|
Post by cplmickey on Mar 20, 2021 9:34:55 GMT
I use Parkside Metals just off junction 27 of the M1 mainly because it's handy for me. I don't know how small they go slice wise but I've always found them helpful and I've had stuff up to 200mm before although think that was 6 inches long. Ian
|
|
oldnorton
Statesman
5" gauge LMS enthusiast
Posts: 696
|
Post by oldnorton on Mar 20, 2021 10:06:40 GMT
Interesting supply question.
I would guess that the 40mm slice from a 230mm bar is going to be the cheapest? Would a flame/laser cut finished ring price have to pay for the 230mm square stock anyway? And you would still have to mount and finish machine it.
Also interesting to think about how to go about trepanning the 165mm hole in a 230mm diameter slice. Needs a big lathe and a 12" faceplate. Then trepan cut in nibbles ensuring the tool always has free side relief and swarf can fall away? That's just my initial thoughts but feeling such cuts are likely to be difficult.
Norm
|
|
jasonb
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,209
|
Post by jasonb on Mar 20, 2021 10:16:58 GMT
Probably less hairy to stitch drill it out with the black on a rotary table or use the DRO to position a ring of overlapping holes.
|
|
rrmrd66
Part of the e-furniture
Posts: 339 
|
Post by rrmrd66 on Mar 20, 2021 10:22:22 GMT
Track Metals in Birmingham is always very obliging. Speak to Fred via his eBay shop. Just tell him what you want. www.ebay.co.uk › str › trackmetals Good luck Malcolm |
|
|
|
Post by 92220 on Mar 20, 2021 10:46:49 GMT
Interesting supply question. I would guess that the 40mm slice from a 230mm bar is going to be the cheapest? Would a flame/laser cut finished ring price have to pay for the 230mm square stock anyway? And you would still have to mount and finish machine it. Also interesting to think about how to go about trepanning the 165mm hole in a 230mm diameter slice. Needs a big lathe and a 12" faceplate. Then trepan cut in nibbles ensuring the tool always has free side relief and swarf can fall away? That's just my initial thoughts but feeling such cuts are likely to be difficult. Norm I bought steel blanks from Macready Metals, in South Wales, (but I think they were bought out) for the tyres on my loco drivers and had the centres cut out by water jet. The centres that were removed, left exactly the right size discs to make the tender and pony truck tyres from too. Made it quite a cheap job to make the tyres for all the wheels. The water jet cut was 3mm wide and it was not an expensive job to get done. It also left the steel with no inherent stresses due to heat from the cutting. Bob. |
|
|
|
Post by nick952 on Mar 20, 2021 11:42:19 GMT
|
|
cgd
Active Member
Posts: 26
|
Post by cgd on Mar 20, 2021 17:56:18 GMT
Many thanks to everyone who has replied so far, some useful suggestions to follow up.
I too got to thinking that it may be better to get a disc water jet cut from plate, they could also get the bore cut to slightly under finished diameter too, for final boring in the lathe.
I'll report back on what the final outcome is - assuming the job goes ahead.
Someone also mentioned trepanning as one means of making the large bore - if you want to see some really impressive trepanning search for David Wilks on You Tube, large and long bores trepanned in some of the most difficult to machine materials imaginable - specialist stainless steels, titanium, nimonic and inconel.
|
|
|
|
Post by vulcanbomber on Mar 20, 2021 21:07:01 GMT
I've got a piece of 270 dia EN8 that i bought for a job and it got cancelled. If your close enough to collect it you can have it for the price I paid. I think it will clean up to 40mm
|
|
|
|
Post by andyhigham on Mar 20, 2021 21:20:34 GMT
If holes in them isn't a problem try looking at pipe flanges
|
|
|
|
Post by ejparrott on Mar 21, 2021 19:49:59 GMT
Acenta steel in Rugby
|
|
dscott
Elder Statesman
Posts: 2,438
|
Post by dscott on Mar 24, 2021 1:50:19 GMT
 I had some fun with a square bit of plate as I couldn't find any 7" stuff within walking distance at Berkshire Metals!! Yes I needed a ring to fit over 6 1/4" boiler on my second Hunslet. Then I reverted to milling as it wouldn't fit between thin 4 jaw and the bed of the Myford.  Then the Myford would not go slow enough so pop it onto the Emco as it can go very low speed. If I was doing anything larger pop it onto a rotary table and mill via a power drill turning.  What we were trying to achieve to fit the now bigger boiler! The bits left over are returning as a Smokebox door. And 4 infills of weight on Asia Europa 54. David and Lily. PS My rotary table needs repairing!! |
|
dscott
Elder Statesman
Posts: 2,438
|
Post by dscott on Mar 25, 2021 1:49:33 GMT
 So starting with the blank I soon reverted to chain drilling!!!  About 1mm clearance. The Myford is a lovely machine but it is just a bit small in some places!  Always remembering to turn a register on anything you have left over so it can be held with ease. Or do it to drawing if you have a planned use for it. Smokebox door or steel tyre to fit over a worn set of wheels. 5 more to turn!!! David and Lily. |
|
cgd
Active Member
Posts: 26
|
Post by cgd on Mar 27, 2021 11:05:12 GMT
Once again, many thanks to everyone who has contributed suggestions for sources of supply. Although my involvement in the project that gave rise to the intial enquiry has now come to an end, as the scope has expanded beyond my capabilities, I have filed away the names of possible suppliers as I'm sure there will be a need for similar sized materials for other projects to come. Thank you again.
|
|
