Precision Ground Flat Stock

I have some lengths of 50x50mm & 50x12mm which I intend to turn into rear tool post and holders - As I have never used Ground Flat Stock before, should special tools be used - tool angles etc.

Has anyone any hints or sugestions

The spec. of the steel is:-

Oil Hardening BS01 Type Alloy Steel (Its in original packaging)

Carbon 0.95% - Silicon 0.30% - Manganese 1.25% - Chromium 0.50% - Tungsten 0.%0% - Vanadiem 0.20%

Any help would be appreciated

I use it all the time and it's not awkward stuff to machine in the grand scheme of things.

It's a tough steel but 'well mannered' , doesn't seem to work harden and I don't really take any special measures apart from allowing for it's hardness.

I don't think you'll have any problems.

Agreed, use cutting speeds of around 20 ~ 25 m/min and keep the tool and part as cool or as lubricated as you can and you will be fine.

Thanks - will go to w/shop and give it a go

Hello HomeUse - Ground flat stock comes in (or used to) several different qualities which if my memory serves right could be identified by the ground finish - the coarse finish was quite forgiving but the good stuff with its finer ground finish needed to be dealt with more carefully. Machining it (tough old stuff) needs lots of coolant to prevent it work hardening but providing your tools are sharp and you keep the mistic flowing you should have no probs.The same applies to the various grades of silver steel. Please note that my advice is based on my experiences from 30 years ago - things may well have changed since then!

Hi Stuart - Yes I have found out that there are diferent grades (the hard way) by trial and error - and taking the edge off quite a few tools.
A local precision engineering works helped in the end by taking the ground stock from me and replacing with easy machine bright steel. - The works use it in producing pecision dies for injection moulding, but they have very specialist lathes/mills

Thanks for all coments - will stick to easy machine in future

Hi HU

I hope you got a good exchange rate!

Neil

Yes Neil - 2.5 times weight of Ground in BMSteel - I think that is fair MikeB

Hi Home Use.

Not all ground stock is Flat .... I was given a nice bundle by an engineering friend still in the wax paper. both British and US stock. It may be ground but that doees not mean it is truly flat, bows of a few thou are evident in many of the pieces Mostly new 18 ingth lengths. I have found it is fairly easy to mill and yes with coolant.

Worth bearing in mind if you plan to use it as is...

Cheers
John McNamara.