"Up North" wrote in message
...

"Bob Engelhardt" wrote in message
...
I was asking recently about the HF 12" slip rolls (1" diam rolls). The
replies led me to believe that they would be too wimpy. Since I don't
have room for a bigger one, I'm going to make my own: beefy (2" rolls),
but small (12", 40-45lbs). I don't think that I've ever rolled anything
bigger than 12" & I have a neighbor with 36" rolls if I do.

I'm wondering if pistons from hydraulic cylinders would make good rolls.
Specifically, how hard would they be to machine? Even if I find the
right diameter, I would need to turn down the ends.

Is 2" a common diameter for hyd pistons?

I occasionally see cylinders at the dump, but not frequently enough to
wait for. So, do you think that I could find some, somewhere?

Thanks,
Bob

From what I have seen I don't think they are too hard. The chrome plating
is where the hardness comes in to the picture. Scored rods should be
available at hydraulic or heavy equipment repair shops.
Steve

My experience as well. All the cylinder rods I have seen get their corrosion
and wear resistance from thin chrome plating. After the first cut, the
material is rather soft. Constructing rolls with them would most likely
result in a lot of cracked chrome. However, on the other hand, I don't thing
hardness is really required for a good set of rolls. Perhaps cutting 2" rods
down to 1.95" or so, to true them up, could make them quite usable for your
rolls.