Tool steel for projects?

[Scota4570]

I have not bought any, ever.  My scraps are running low.  Today need to make sear.  Use O-1 ?   Something  else?  I do not have a furnace.  So it is MAP gas torch and lead bath tempering.  Buy form Jantz supply

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

You can make the sear out of mild steel, and then case harden it after it is fit up properly.  You can temper in a toaster oven.

[577SXS]

O-1 is good for what you are doing. I buy most of my tool steel from Zoro or MSC. Also got quite a bit off of Ebay.

[tallbear]

This is a great source for tool steel for a lot of our projects from simple carbon steel and up......Great service.......https://newjerseysteelbaron.com/


Mitch Yates

[SingleMalt]

I got a piece of 1/8" X 1/4" W-1 about 3' long for maybe $10 from McMaster-Carr.  Easy to work and takes a good edge for chisels.

[Eric Kettenburg]

McMaster is always great to deal with, no fuss if they have what you need.  Also I have bought a lot of steel from Admiral Steel - great service.

[rich pierce]

Agree O1 is good if you temper it right. Mild, case hardened is safest.

[Waksupi]

This is a great source for tool steel for a lot of our projects from simple carbon steel and up......Great service.......https://newjerseysteelbaron.com/


Mitch Yates

I agree, great service, and if you have a question, call them and they will answer it!

[Scota4570]

Wow! Lots of choices out there.  I do not know enough about the machining properties of various alloys to choose intelligently. 

I have been using hardware store mild steel then case hardening.  It can be poor quality.  Some of it machines very poorly, galling and leaving  a rough finish.  Some is brittle yet soft. 

For something like a sear, or other lock parts,  I would think that some thing homogeneous, tough and heat treatable would be good.  All the identified steel I have worked with is o-1 and Brownells spring steel (1075?).  I do not want anything that hardens while I drill it.  It need to be anealable if I mess up.   Something I quench in veggie oil.  It need to be workable with common drills, files, hacksaws, and high speed tool bits. 

Is my initial guess of O-1 the best choice?   I do not want to buy a lot of steel I end of not using.  Any help would be welcome. 

Thanks,
Scot

[Stophel]

Siler tumblers and sears are made of O1.

[flehto]

O-1 is a good choice. I use a Mapp gas torch but the part is put into a short length of 2-1/2" dia  pipe w/ an end cap screwed on. The end cap has 6 small holes drilled into it. Have hardened many frizzens w/ this setup and the pipe ensures an even heat....it's somewhat like a small furnace.....the torch flame is aimed at the open end.  The parts have a wire attached for quenching in motor oil. Checked my kitchen stove's oven temp w/ a thermal bridge and it's right on. .....Fred

[45-110]

Depending where one lives, most fastener/bolt stores carry O1 drill rod. Fastenal co.  is one that does.
Personally I hate ordering because of the postage fee unless absolutely necessary.

[Bob Roller]

I have used 0-1 for decades for sears and the "fly"but I also have 2
metal cutting bandsaws,horizontal and vertical plus a milling machine.
My sears were mostly made from 7/16"x 1 oil hardening 0-1.It is not
cheap.Using the Mapp gas to heat treat I'd get a piece of 7/16 or 10mm
1018 for a short term job and use Cherry Red to case harden it.

Bob Roller

[shortbarrel]

I think Bob said it all.

[oldtravler61]

 I have a few pieces of o-1 from my machine shop days. If interested let me know.  Oldtravler