Cold rolled steel? | The Hobby-Machinist

Unfortunately as hobbyists we have to get what's available for a decent price.It would be nice to use , 12l14, but there are limits on cost, etc. I try to learn how to work with the material I can get, and this forum is useful for those ideas.

I understand this.
However many hobbyists are more concerned about appearance then function, hence the many "Can't get a good surface finish in steel" questions posted.

If I were making a hobby part and the most important consideration is surface finish I would happily pay more for a material that finishes nicely with the tooling and machines that I have to use.

Does this not make sense? On the face of it, it does make sense, but availability is a big issue with most folks, it seems; surely we could all order from a convenient online source, such as Mc Master Carr, but it gets pretty expensive. I am personally fortunate to have cleaned out all the remnants of stock when I sold my business and taken them home, my very own little scrap yard, and can still go back to my old shop and beg material when needed, in exchange for such as cutter sharpening, etc.
Most hobbyists are not so fortunate, and must, by necessity use what comes to hand; by experience, they will learn to deal with less than ideal materials, and learn which cutting tools and lubricants lead to an acceptable finish, and also, they need to learn the use of files and abrasive cloth; cutting tools are not the panacea when it comes to finish.
Another thing that I have harped on several times previously is the choice of carbide inserts that hobbyists seem to gravitate to for reasons of economy, handiness, and utility; I am speaking of the parallelogram shaped (negative rake) inserts, they do not lend themselves to nice finishes to say the least, fine for roughing on a machine with sufficient power to effectively use them, machines, for the most part the hobbyist does not possess. A free cutting (positive rake) insert goes a long way to solving finish quality problems. I use nearly all TPG (positive rake) 300 and 400 series inserts for my lathe work except for work done on my 9" Monarch, where I use all HSS tools.

If you’re in the market for a new steel supplier, comparing companies can be a daunting task, given the number of options in the market. But, with a little research and the right approach, the process can be relatively simple. In this post, we’ll outline 3 steps to help you choose a steel supplier.

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Why Compare Steel Suppliers Before Purchasing?

Why’s it worth your time to compare steel supply companies? By taking the time to compare different suppliers, you can ensure the best possible value for the steel you need. You can also compare the quality of the steel and the customer service of each supplier. And, just as important, you can compare the delivery times and locations of each supplier. When a big project is on the line, this bit of research can save plenty of headaches.

How To Compare Steel Suppliers

When comparing steel suppliers, there are a few key factors to judge them with: processing services, price and policies. Use these criteria as a guide when you research different steel companies. 

3 Factors To Consider When Comparing Steel Suppliers?

1. Steel Supply Processing Services

Every steel distribution company offers different services — do they have what you need? For example, we work with prime, flat-rolled steel, from both domestic and offshore mills. Our team processes these galvanized, cold rolled, galvanneal, aluminized, stainless, and bonderized steel products into various widths and lengths. We offer other types of finishes and processing services as well. 

Depending on your project specs, available products and services could be a tiebreaker between choices.

2. Steel Supply Pricing

Budgeting for your desired products, specs and quantities is already difficult. But finding a steel supplier that works within your budget can be incredibly frustrating. The best method is the simplest: get quotes from each company. 

By the way, if a steel supplier doesn’t offer quotes or estimates, that’s a major red flag. We’d be cautious of any lack of transparency. Once you receive the quotes, compare them side-by-side to decide the best value for your budget.

3. Steel Supply Company Policies

Finally, consider what each supplier’s policies are and how they handle customer inquiries and problems.

• What are their shipping protocols? 

  If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Cold Rolled Steel Supplier.

• How do they source steel? 

• As a customer, are you protected from faulty products? 

You should also consider the customer service philosophy itself.

• Is it friendly and helpful? 

• Are service reps knowledgeable about the products? 

• Are they quick to respond to questions? 

The way employees interact with you is a good indicator of how the company operates internally. 

Resources To Compare Steel Suppliers

There are plenty of resources out there to compare steel supply companies. Steel Service Centers has a directory of suppliers that are categorized by state —  this is a great tool if shipping costs are a factor for you —  and it’s a perfect place to start your comparison journey. 

Use Google reviews or Yelp to see what other customers have said about their experiences with different steel suppliers. For extra validation, check company websites to see if they’ve won recent awards like Best Places to Work or other industry recognition. With these tools, you’ll have a much better idea of who to trust with your project.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Coated Steel.

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