Author Topic: Can I machine sintered iron similar to cast?  (Read 3270 times)

Offline mp43sniper

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Can I machine sintered iron similar to cast?
« on: June 12, 2018, 04:41:04 PM »
I found some 3" sintered iron casters at Tractor Supply and was wondering if they'll machine into flywheels ok or if I should avoid them. Don't want to grenade anything, but also don't want to pass them up if it'll work. I haven't made my patterns yet to cast my own from iron or lead and I really want to get my first engine built.

Thanks,
Craig

Offline crueby

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Re: Can I machine sintered iron similar to cast?
« Reply #1 on: June 12, 2018, 05:06:39 PM »
How do you tell sintered iron from cast iron?

Offline Jo

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Re: Can I machine sintered iron similar to cast?
« Reply #2 on: June 12, 2018, 05:10:20 PM »
They make gears out of sintered iron. However there are many variations as to its composition and manufacturing process (compacting, sintering, re-pressing, re-sintering etc) which change the properties of the sintered material.

There is a lot of difference between looking to make a flywheel to run on a 300 rpm engine and one for a 8000rpm engine. I would personally prefer to use material of a known grade for anything that was going to be subject to high stresses.

Jo
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Offline Jo

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Re: Can I machine sintered iron similar to cast?
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2018, 05:14:09 PM »
How do you tell sintered iron from cast iron?

Sintered Iron looks to be made of particles, machines different too - sort of gritty.

Jo
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Offline mp43sniper

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Re: Can I machine sintered iron similar to cast?
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2018, 10:57:58 PM »
I am just looking for (very) low rpm flywheel for my first engine (flame eater). Wondered about the machinability of sintered vs cast iron.

Offline Ian S C

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Re: Can I machine sintered iron similar to cast?
« Reply #5 on: June 13, 2018, 03:43:38 AM »
I tried turning the side off a sintered iron gear, it broke up. It was quite hard, and had worked without wear on a large photo copier for many years.
Ian S C

Offline Jo

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Re: Can I machine sintered iron similar to cast?
« Reply #6 on: June 13, 2018, 07:00:11 AM »
I am just looking for (very) low rpm flywheel for my first engine (flame eater). Wondered about the machinability of sintered vs cast iron.

If you are having to PAY for them  :facepalm: I would look to buy cast Iron instead.

If they were free  :) I would say try turning them and see.

Jo
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Offline derekwarner

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Re: Can I machine sintered iron similar to cast?
« Reply #7 on: June 13, 2018, 08:27:55 AM »
Craig......if these iron casters were some surplus materials, one could wonder on the age?

Could they be old sand cast components?......the most common item I can think of were the tapered cylindrical [prisim] sash counter weights used in casement window assemblies

These were mass produced from raw grey Pig Iron with very limited flux treatment, and poured into sand mould trees

The final product was never machined and had a sandy inclusion texture. When machined, the high carbon content is immediately apparent

Tipped tools are not recommended for this material....plain HSS being the only option

Derek
« Last Edit: June 14, 2018, 12:25:42 AM by derekwarner_decoy »
Derek L Warner - Honorary Secretary [Retired]
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Offline Zephyrin

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Re: Can I machine sintered iron similar to cast?
« Reply #8 on: June 13, 2018, 09:51:25 AM »
Quote
sash counter weights used in casement window assemblies

I do have a pair of such weights...as new !
I can't count the number of lathe tools I've ruined on those...I haven't tested mill bits, I'm not that dumb !

Online Jasonb

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Offline Jo

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Re: Can I machine sintered iron similar to cast?
« Reply #10 on: June 13, 2018, 11:19:11 AM »
It would be cheaper to by a similar sized cast Iron flywheel and there would be no question about the quality

Jo
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Online Jasonb

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Re: Can I machine sintered iron similar to cast?
« Reply #11 on: June 13, 2018, 11:26:07 AM »
If you can find them for less, Martin Model want $20 for a 3" CI flywheel

Offline Jo

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Re: Can I machine sintered iron similar to cast?
« Reply #12 on: June 13, 2018, 11:33:33 AM »
From £7.50 on Fleabay.

Jo
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Offline derekwarner

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Re: Can I machine sintered iron similar to cast?
« Reply #13 on: June 13, 2018, 12:12:47 PM »
American sales people are well known for using material descriptions beyond the limits of the imagination :facepalm:

I doubt any manufacturer would consider a Sintered Iron production method for such a [wheel]  item........sintered iron would require significant post manufacture heat treatment to attain any such impact rolling resistance

If the wheel was cheap $....my bet it would machine with characteristics similar to grey iron  :DrinkPint:

[Apart from this, the bore, OD and major face diameter have already been pre machined] so suggests the machinability of the iron  :ThumbsUp:

Derek

« Last Edit: June 13, 2018, 12:29:46 PM by derekwarner_decoy »
Derek L Warner - Honorary Secretary [Retired]
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Online Jasonb

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Re: Can I machine sintered iron similar to cast?
« Reply #14 on: June 13, 2018, 12:23:48 PM »
From £7.50 on Fleabay.

Jo

And postage to the US?

The caster is also less than £7.50 ::)

 

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