Help with steel Bars

[TO_Bud]

An elderly friend of mine passed away about a month ago. He was a tool and die worker in his younger days and over time he amassed various diameters of what I'm assuming is tool steel. I don't know alot about tool steel so I'm hoping the vast knowledge of TBN can give me direction. His elderly wife wants to get rid of the bars along with some rather old lathes so I went over today to check things out. There is at least 1500 # of various diameter bars from 3/16" to 3." All the smaller diameter stuff is 3 ft long so I'm assuming it is tool steel, in fact I'm assuming it is all tool steel based on his occupation. It would be a shame to take it to the Scrap yard as they are only paying .16 per pound around here. Any tool makers out there that have advice on who would be interested it such a collection?

 

[Workstead]

If it were me helping her I would take a few representative bars with me to a few machine shops and explain the situation to them. They might even be interested in buying some of it.

Clem

 

[smiley]

You might also put an ad on craigslist as someone is always looking for old lathes, machinery and stock.

 

[BHD]

you should be able to get a basic Idea on the carbon content with a spark test, and the type of sparks they throw off a grinder.
some info,
Spark
http://igor.chudov.com/manuals/Spark_Testing_for_Mystery_Metals.pdf
Spark testing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Rob-D]

Tool steel has a higher carbon content than plain steel (1018, etc.) It usually comes as O1- oil hardening, A1- air hardening or W1-water hardening. Usually I label my steels because it can be hard to differentiate between them. You might look around to see if he has an oil bath for instance which might mean he uses mostly O1. Maybe youcould find some old bills or talk to the people he did most of his work for.
Also look for other signs. See any rust? Maybe it is 303,304 or 316 stainless. Put a magnet up to it although some stainless will pull a magnet just not as hard as mild steel.
Some of those steels can bring a good buck, I wouldn't be too hasty to get rid of them. 3" diameter tool steel will run you a good penny. Go to the MSC catalog on line or a steel seller and check the prices, you'll see what I mean.
Some used machine dealers will be interested in steel, google used metal and see what comes up.
Rob

 

[TO_Bud]

Thanks for the advice all, I will follow up on it. I have thought of Craig's List and even of visiting a few steel shops for their take on it. I'm going to spend the day separating the steel by size and bundling the smaller bars into 50# groups. There are probably four 3" bars that are five feet long, it was all I could do to lift them into my pickup. I'm not going to give in to the scrap yards until I've done a lot of digging for a better price. Thanks again.

 

[Rob-D]

Thanks for the advice all, I will follow up on it. I have thought of Craig's List and even of visiting a few steel shops for their take on it. I'm going to spend the day separating the steel by size and bundling the smaller bars into 50# groups. There are probably four 3" bars that are five feet long, it was all I could do to lift them into my pickup. I'm not going to give in to the scrap yards until I've done a lot of digging for a better price. Thanks again.

Here's a company I buy metals from once and awhile. He does small lots and might be interested in some of your stock although I don't know how far away he is, you might give him a buzz. Nice people to deal with if I remember.

Buy Steel - Metal For Sale - Speedy Metals - None - Wisconsin

Rob

 

[TO_Bud]

Thanks Rob, he is a long way off as I live near Port Huron Mich. I'll keep them in mind. I don't think there is any stainless in the bunch as it all has some light rust on it. In speaking with his wife he used to make screws and bolts, there was no indication of an oil bath anywhere. I might try the spark test mentioned to get an idea if only for a negotiating point.
Bud

 

[bobodu]

So this guy walks into a bar......musta hurt!!

 

[RoyJackson]

If it were me helping her I would take a few representative bars with me to a few machine shops and explain the situation to them. They might even be interested in buying some of it.

Clem

Those shops might be able to do a hardness test and a spark test (different steels spark differently when put against a grinding wheel) to help identify what you have.