Sources of 1050 in Canada

[Kenric]

Hi folks. I've been looking for reasonable sources for 1050 steel in Canada. I've found Gibbs Wire in Toronto sells it in 11.8" strip, but they seem really expensive (around $21/ sq foot CDN for 0.031" thick.) It would be nice to find it in wider sheet, and up to 16ga for making helms.

Am I SOL for getting it up here? There are a couple of us who are keen to work in it, and I don't even care about having to fill a min order.

Thanks
Kenric

[Kenric]

Nobody seems to have sources in Canada, how about northern NY or perhaps even somewhere within a couple of hours of Pennsic?

Kenric

[Vermillion]

Kenric

Have you considered using 4130? Its almost as cheap as mild steel and its available from several places online.

For instance:

http://www.aedmotorsports.com/

or

http://www.onlinemetals.com/

Much cheaper than 1050 and from what I'm told very nice to work with

[Kenric]

Kenric

Have you considered using 4130? Its almost as cheap as mild steel and its available from several places online.

I'm not familiar with 4130 at all. Any ideas on how it is for being heat treatedlater on?

Kenric

[Vermillion]

Do a search on this board on "heat treating" or "4130" and you will find many detailed threads on the issue. (This is how I learned about it, and I'm paraphrasing what I read.)

Basically 4130 is a chromium-molybdenum alloy that is commonly used in custom car bodies and aircraft uses. It has 3% carbon in relation to 5% in the 1050, but this is actually useful since it will tend to distort/break less during the quench.

It is NOT a stainless steel (the chromium content is too low) but should be more resistant to rust than the 1050.

FYI this is in regards to armor. If your interested in making swords, I would recommend 5160, another alloy steel.

EDIT: Here is another useful supplier that lists their prices online, without asking for a price quote by email.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/m ... 0sheet.php

This chromium-molybdenum alloy is one of the most widely used aircraft steels because of its combination of weldability, ease of fabrication and mild hardenability. In relatively thin sections, it will respond to heat treatment to high strength levels and yet, in the normalized condition, it has adequate strength for many applications. Used for the manufacture of parts and components. Tensile strength 90,000 PSI.

[Kenric]

Do a search on this board on "heat treating" or "4130" and you will find many detailed threads on the issue. (This is how I learned about it, and I'm paraphrasing what I read.)

Basically 4130 is a chromium-molybdenum alloy that is commonly used in custom car bodies and aircraft uses. It has 3% carbon in relation to 5% in the 1050, but this is actually useful since it will tend to distort/break less during the quench.

It is NOT a stainless steel (the chromium content is too low) but should be more resistant to rust than the 1050.

FYI this is in regards to armor. If your interested in making swords, I would recommend 5160, another alloy steel.

EDIT: Here is another useful supplier that lists their prices online, without asking for a price quote by email.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/m ... 0sheet.php

This chromium-molybdenum alloy is one of the most widely used aircraft steels because of its combination of weldability, ease of fabrication and mild hardenability. In relatively thin sections, it will respond to heat treatment to high strength levels and yet, in the normalized condition, it has adequate strength for many applications. Used for the manufacture of parts and components. Tensile strength 90,000 PSI.

I had been digging around in old posts, but you've given me a couple new bits of info. I am using this for armour.

Thanks
Kenric