Author Topic: Metal Definition in UK  (Read 3279 times)

Offline Reggleston

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Metal Definition in UK
« on: May 31, 2018, 07:42:16 PM »
Just received an excellent set of BP's from the UK for a ME  beam engine which I hope to build one on these days. Noticed two material designations I am not familiar with on this side of the pond. The First is Gunmetal? The second is bms? I am sure you can enlighten me as to what type of metals we are talking about.

I am also curious about what the designation ME means in the plan description of the Beam engine?

Regards.
Bob E

Online Roger B

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Re: Metal Definition in UK
« Reply #1 on: May 31, 2018, 07:49:21 PM »
Gunmetal is a bronze like alloy of copper, tin and zinc. It is strong and corrosion resistant (and was originally used for casting cannons).
BMS is Bright Mild Steel which I think you would call cold rolled.
M E can refer to the magazine 'Model Engineer' or in the case of screw threads refers to model engineering.
Best regards

Roger

Offline Jasonb

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Re: Metal Definition in UK
« Reply #2 on: May 31, 2018, 07:53:57 PM »
Gunmetal is a bronze that is often used for castings, something like SAE40

BMS is Bright mild steel or Cold Rolled, if referring to round that would be 1215 or flat would most likely be 1018

Do be careful who you get castings for the ME Bean from one source is more reliable than the other.

Offline Reggleston

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Re: Metal Definition in UK
« Reply #3 on: June 01, 2018, 04:18:38 PM »
Thanks so much for your metal definitions. Do you happen to know who might be the suppliers of castings for the ME Beam engine? Any good recommendation as to who would provide in a timely manner?
Bob E

Offline Stuart

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Re: Metal Definition in UK
« Reply #4 on: June 01, 2018, 05:01:14 PM »
Got mine from http://www.ajreeves.com

Good castings plenty of metal and no hard spots


I have no connection with them only a satisfied customer


Just finishing off the parallel motion ,CNC working on the straps,rods ect
My aim is for a accurate part with a good finish

Offline Jasonb

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Re: Metal Definition in UK
« Reply #5 on: June 01, 2018, 06:40:35 PM »
Yep Reeves as I said in your other thread yesterday.

Offline Jo

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Re: Metal Definition in UK
« Reply #6 on: June 01, 2018, 07:18:08 PM »
... who would provide in a timely manner?

Reeves are three to four weeks normally plus snail mail time  :-\ But they are happy to send casting sets internationally  :ThumbsUp:

Jo
Enjoyment is more important than achievement.

Offline Vixen

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Re: Metal Definition in UK
« Reply #7 on: June 01, 2018, 07:30:25 PM »
Don't forget the new 25% steel import tariff into the USA

It is the journey that matters, not the destination

Sometimes, it can be a long and winding road

Offline Jo

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Re: Metal Definition in UK
« Reply #8 on: June 01, 2018, 07:54:00 PM »
Don't forget the new 25% steel import tariff into the USA

I don't think Gunmetal or Cast Iron are covered by the term "steel" :ThumbsUp:

Jo
Enjoyment is more important than achievement.

Offline Stuart

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Re: Metal Definition in UK
« Reply #9 on: June 01, 2018, 07:59:07 PM »
ME has more CI than GM  :stir:

As to import tax ( I am not getting into that ) but you have to take off the Vodka And Tonic at 20%
My aim is for a accurate part with a good finish

Offline Jasonb

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Re: Metal Definition in UK
« Reply #10 on: June 07, 2018, 09:57:53 AM »
Just had a message from somone who recently bought some of the beam castings from Reeves and the quality was not good, The beam had very bad misalignment of the two halves which meant he binned it and made from scratch and the cylinder was very undersize. So although you may get the castings from Reeves unlike the other supplier what you get may not be that good :(

Given the additional postage rate to bump the costs up you may be better off just making it all from scratch.

 

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