Karl Townsend wrote:
On Tue, 01 Mar 2011 10:01:58 -0800,
wrote:

I have been away from metal working for a long time. Last I worked there
were [for the casual user] hot rolled, cold rolled, and drill rod.
Having just ruined a band saw blade on a piece from the junk box that
tested ok with a file, seemed to have hard spots.

This ****es me off when it happens.rare enough to just keep using
mystery metal. Often enough to have to always have a spare blade on
hand.

What type of steel
should one use for ordinary fixturing? Do some of the newer hot rolled
have a smooth finish like the old cold rolled? What steels are likely to
have hard spots?

Cold rolled is generally what you get, by far the most common. Has a
smooth finish, unlike hot rolled with a thin layer of crappy stuff. I
use cold rolled for 99% of my steel needs.


If you need high performance steel for a special application, ask when
you have the need. I find McMaster Carr has a good selection and
description of many specialty steels.

Karl


Mcmaster Carr has a good selection of metals but they are not too cheap
when you need a reasonable quantity. Burgon steel has more reasonable
prices but maybe a little slower on delivery.

http://www.burgon.com/

I use Pennsylvania Steel Co. for cold finish round bar and stainless
303. They seem to have good pricing and since I buy quite a bit I get
free delivery but they will also ship UPS if the length and weight in
under the UPS limits.

http://www.pasteel.com/



John