--- In 7x12minilathe@..., Richard Kleinhenz
<woodnpen@o...> wrote:
Basic question: When you buy steel alloys, how can you tell what
you have?
Basically, you have to take the supplier's word for it. If he lies
a lot, find another supplier, or a favorite salesperson.
Is there any kind of color coding? Sometimes rod has some
yellow or blue color on it. Is that meaningful?
Only at that particular supplier's lot. I have 3 suppliers nearby
that I frequent. All 3 use different color codes. There does not
seem to be any standard at all, for any metal I know of.
Secondly, if you bought some stuff and don't use it all - do you
write the alloy on it with permanent marker?
I use a Sharpie (brand) pen. It writes on most everything, and
seems to be close to permanent - but cutting fluid does take it off...
Or is there some way of tell what you got? I don't mean telling
stainless steel from aluminum, but 12L14 from 1018 or drill rod.
James Early posted two from ME (I think), perhaps he will tell us
where they are (my filing "system" does not track sources). Called
"What metal is it?" by R. H. Warring, July 21, 1955.
How do you store it? Inside, of course, in a 'dry' basement that
is unheated and not all that dry. Do you keep the alloys separated?
No, I don't have that much. Yet... Mine is just leaning in a
corner.
Make up your own color coding?
Sounds like a good idea, if you keep a lot of colors of paint
around. I just mark it on the end with a Sharpie.
Do you wipe some oil on it to help prevent surface rust?
I tried that, it worked for a while but then started to rust again.
I think grease will last longer - I'm testing that idea now. It is
definately messier.
RA in rainy(!) Southern California
