Steel for screw divers?

[beleg2]

I will make some turnscrew (screw divers) for a case I'm finishingfor my Tranter revolver (1864).
Which is best 1015 or 1045?
Thanks
Martin

[rich pierce]

1045 would do.  It needs to have enough carbon to harden.  I'd prefer 60-80 points of carbon.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I use drill rod.  It comes in many sizes that are appropriate for turn screws.

[smart dog]

Hi Martin,
English makers traditionally used the same steel from which they made springs.  Often they would use the long leaf of a broken mainspring.  I would suggest at least 1045 but 1075 would be much better.

dave

[Jim Kibler]

I would expect spring hardness (mid to lower 40's HRC) should work out well for a screw driver.  Just adjust your tempering temperature for your material.  I'd think that anything with around 0.40% carbon or more should get you there with the right heat treatment.

[beleg2]

Thank you for your advises.
It is very hard to find steel of higher carbon.
Thanks
Martin

[rich pierce]

You should be fine with 1040 as most work you're going to do is not on screws that are seated with a lot of torque.  I don't know where you are but agricultural steel is usually very good for such things.  If you can find a farm supply place, the "teeth" for hay rakes and combines are very good steel, usually 1080, and of a diameter suitable for small tools, .187" to .25" normally.

An example
http://www.tractorsupply.com/agriculture-farming-ranching/mowing-haying-harvesting/rake-teeth/steel-rake-tooth-us-o-1-1410355