By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more
Forum sponsored by:
Forum sponsored by Forum House Ad Zone

wrought iron

All Topics | Latest Posts

Search for:  in Thread Title in  
Gordon W06/06/2010 11:55:29
2011 forum posts
A bit of an idle question really:- I was having a tidy up and rediscovered a bundle of short ends of wrought iron, left over from an earlier existence, these are mostly small section , 1/2" sq. and similar. Does anyone have an idea what I might use them for, eg. where might they be better than mild steel? Or do I put them in the come in handy pile. NB this is WI, not MS.
drjohn06/06/2010 13:11:00
8 forum posts
Good for making spikes for the top of your garden gate - if H&SE allow such things over there!
 
DJ
Richard Parsons06/06/2010 16:59:46
avatar
645 forum posts
33 photos
 

How precious they are is partly dependant on their age. If they were originally wrought before July 1945 (first atomic explosion) could be in great demand by laboratories who measure tiny amounts of radiation. This goes for mild steel, very old lead pipe etc.

If you cannot find such a laboratory try either HMS Warrior at Portsmouth, SS Great Britain in Bristol – they are made of the stuff. You might be able to sell it to a Boat builder. Wrought Iron is nearly inert in sea water. I think Warriors plates have lost less that 1/16” in over 100 years. 

The stuff is also very tolerant of the harsh conditions inside a fire box. My mother used to cook on a kitchen range made about 18 and ‘how is your father?’ In the mid 1960s the fire bars gave way. The local ironmonger looked sadly at the remains and said ‘we still sell these but they are expensive as they are wrought Iron not the cheap cast iron ones like this’ Dad paid 10/- (Shillings in real money) When he sold the house some 12 years later they as good as new but the new owner’s scrapped the whole thing.’

Ian S C07/06/2010 03:06:06
avatar
7468 forum posts
230 photos
If you have a fire place(or know someone with one), the 1/2"sq would make a nice poker. Your local ornimental black smith might like it.Ian S C
Gordon W07/06/2010 10:46:48
2011 forum posts
Thanks for the responses. This iron was left over from when I made gates etc. and was bought for a repair job, I understood it is re-rolled from scrap w-iron, by a preserved (museum?) mill, so age not known. Wrought iron not made anywhere now, so expensive. Could make railing spikes ,but mild st. much cheaper. I'd forgotten the good hot performance, low corrosion aspect, so may use some for fire box/ grate in hot air engine. Can confirm that it is much better than mild st. in normal atmosphere.

All Topics | Latest Posts

Please login to post a reply.

Magazine Locator

Want the latest issue of Model Engineer or Model Engineers' Workshop? Use our magazine locator links to find your nearest stockist!

Find Model Engineer & Model Engineers' Workshop

Sign up to our Newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter and get a free digital issue.

You can unsubscribe at anytime. View our privacy policy at www.mortons.co.uk/privacy

Latest Forum Posts
Support Our Partners
cowells
Sarik
MERIDIENNE EXHIBITIONS LTD
Shopping Partners
Subscription Offer

Latest "For Sale" Ads
Latest "Wanted" Ads
Get In Touch!

Do you want to contact the Model Engineer and Model Engineers' Workshop team?

You can contact us by phone, mail or email about the magazines including becoming a contributor, submitting reader's letters or making queries about articles. You can also get in touch about this website, advertising or other general issues.

Click THIS LINK for full contact details.

For subscription issues please see THIS LINK.

Digital Back Issues

Social Media online

'Like' us on Facebook
Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
 Twitter Logo

Pin us on Pinterest

 

Donate

donate