EN42 spring steel

[shing]

Is anyone interested in buying some EN42 (CS80) spring steel in 1/8, 3/16 and 1/4. The interesting thing about this steel is it should be shallow harderning and produce temper lines although I have yet to try it myself. The steel is annealled and shot blasted.

I'm considering ordering some from West Yorkshire Steel and cutting it up into 50mm*440mm lengths.

The cost of 1/8 is about £6-7, 3/16 is £7-9 and 1/4 is £9-11 each plus postage. All prices are approximate.

I need to get 20+ orders for each thickness to make it worthwhile. Please let me know if you're inteested ASAP.

Analysis of EN42

CS80(EN42)C.O.75/0.85 Si 0.05/0.35 Mn 0.50/0.90
Typical hardnessup to .018" 430-460 VPN.020 to .104" 400-440 VPN128" 440-460 VPN Tensile Strength1420-1520 N/mm²1310-1450 N/mm²1450-1520 N/mm²

[shing]

Just realised 1/8 is CS70 not CS80 it has about 0.1% less carbon than CS80.

[PS_Bond]

I presume this isn't precision ground, hence the shot blast?

I'll cheerfully have some - 3/16 & 1/4, 2 off of each.

(BTW - what's the situation with the Chicago screws?)

Thanks,

[Colin KC]

Never used it.

Still put me down for a few bits;)

[shing]

Thanks guys, I still need more orders otherwise I'll end up with too much steel tying up all my cash and I can't make my belt grinder.

I haven't brought any chicargo screws because le prevo dosen't do black ones, I'm cosidering using ordinary aluminium pop rivets because they seem stronger and smaller.

[Roger Gregory]

I'll take some as well. Not sure what I'll do with it but.... :D

Roger

[shing]

I wanted to try this steel to get temper lines because its dosen't have any chromium to make it deep harderning like O1. Its like the simple 10 series steels Bob Engnath used to get good temper lines in his knives.

Its encouraging that other people are interested in having a go, its cheaper than O1 if I can get enough people to bulk buy some fairly large pieces.

Got to sell more steel!

[shing]

Just found a sword with a really nice hamon made using 1084 steel, it has almost identical composition to EN42.

www.liveblade.com/customsword/handmade.html

[shing]

Just found a sword with a really nice hamon made using 1084 steel, it has almost identical composition to EN42.

www.liveblade.com/customsword/handmade.html

www.primosknives.com/articles/steelcmp.htm

[shing]

Hitting a problem with this one. West york Steel would only sell a minimum of 2 of 1000mm*440mm in each thickness which is way too much and cost too much, I'm talking to Argent steel in Sheffield to see if we can get a better deal. Keep you posted.

[shing]

The cost of hot rolled EN42 is:

3.2mm x 510mm x 50mm is £1.70

4.8mm x 450mm x 50mm is £2.20

It will be available from 20/5/03.

I couldn't afford 1/4 inches at the time unless I get more interest.

These prices are way lower the ground flat stock althought bear in mind the surface finish is black. In my experience, I have to grind most of the grinding marks out of GFS anyway.

[PS_Bond]

Pickle the stuff overnight in vinegar (or brick acid if you're feeling brave, but I don't know the timings for that). Should remove the worst of the scale...

GFS is always much more expensive!

I'd like 3 off of each size, please.

Remind me when it gets a bit nearer the time... :)

[shing]

i'm afraid I haven't been able to get EN42, I've got something very similar with chromium in so I'll make some trail knives and see how well the temperlines come out, I'll post the finished knives and you can make your mind up if you want any of it.

[Colin KC]

Wha's the makeup of the steel den?

[shing]

The analysis of the steel is c 0.75-0.85, Si 0.25-0.40, Mn 0.65-0.80, Cr 0.30-0.45.

I got some in 3.2mm and 4.8mm.

The closest common knife making steel is 5160 with slightly more carbon.

Quench at 830-860C, the hardness is RC 65 at 50C, RC 64 at 100C, RC 63 at 150C and RC 62 at 200C

I bought some fire cement from MachineMart to do a Japanese type hardening is oil or white spirit for a faster quench. I'll have to keep an extinguisher handy!

Can send you a piece of 3.2mm to try out if you want Colin if you want to pay the postage.

[PS_Bond]

How're you getting on with that steel?
Since I'm now in a position to belt something into shape...
:D

[keith_beef]

Shing, who were you talking to at Argent steel?

What did you get in the end?

Keith.