On Sun, 22 Mar 2009 16:52:56 -0400, Errol Groff wrote:

Two of my students are building model hit and miss engines. The drawing
calls for stainless steel for the connecting rods but does not specify
what grade. The part will be made from .4375 diameter rod stock.

Suggestions please on what grade to use keeping in mind that they have
no experience with S.S. so machinability is important. Will probably
order the stock from Mc Master Carr and they list a bewildering variety
of grades.

Thanks,

Errol Groff

My inclination would be to use 12L14, and tell anyone who listened that
it's very low grade stainless. It'll be easier to machine, just as
strong, and it'll look a heck of a lot more authentic in an engine.

Unless, of course, the whole point of the project is to build a Really
Shiny hit-and-miss engine, of course, in which case it's fair for
appearance to take precedence over sensibility.

--
http://www.wescottdesign.com