Alex. Posted January 30, 2014 Report Share Posted January 30, 2014 Hi Guys, For one of my non-bike related projects, I need a number of cylindrical weights to add to the end of a rod. I have made some weights out of stainless steel, but to get a good amount of weight, they need to be quite long. I was thinking of either brass or bronze, with the benefit of easy machining. What metals are readily available in bar of about 30mm diameter? I would need about 6" to 12" of bar. As cost is always a factor, I think that tungsten will be out of my reach! Any info (or offers of cheap bar... ) gratefully received! Alex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rureadyboots Posted January 30, 2014 Report Share Posted January 30, 2014 Lead sash weights. Possibly not what you're looking for. But they are certainly dense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gusset Posted January 30, 2014 Report Share Posted January 30, 2014 Brass should be fine and is readily available in lots of diameters from any stockholder. I pay about £120 for 1.5m lengths at 40mm diameter and can confirm it's heavy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex. Posted January 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2014 Lead sash weights. Possibly not what you're looking for. But they are certainly dense. How does lead perform in a lathe? I get the impression that it would be too soft. I would like something that is very smooth and uniform on the outside, with a fairly accurate hole through the middle. Alex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rureadyboots Posted January 30, 2014 Report Share Posted January 30, 2014 How does lead perform in a lathe? I get the impression that it would be too soft. I would like something that is very smooth and uniform on the outside, with a fairly accurate hole through the middle. Alex. I expect it would flop about, break and boink you on the head. Thats in my opinion as a BTEC first certificate mechanical engineer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porter_jamie Posted January 30, 2014 Report Share Posted January 30, 2014 i have some bronze in about 1" diameter but it was rudely expensive. you could melt some lead into a mould. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex. Posted January 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2014 i have some bronze in about 1" diameter but it was rudely expensive. you could melt some lead into a mould. So bronze is shit loads of money, but brass is just rather a lot? As for melting lead, I can spin stuff in a lathe, but moulds are another matter. Add in the really rather hot molten metal, receipe for disaster! Alex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rureadyboots Posted January 30, 2014 Report Share Posted January 30, 2014 They already come with a hole through the middle thoughhttp://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/products/window_and_joinery_hardware/vertical_sash_window_hardware/795/lead_sash_weight Edit for crappy link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spannerman Posted January 30, 2014 Report Share Posted January 30, 2014 depleted uranium? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gurninman Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 Copper is denserer than brass and easily obtainable in 30mm round Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex. Posted January 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 Copper is denserer than brass and easily obtainable in 30mm round Isn't copper much more expensive than brass, though? It would look cool on the end of my rod... Alex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.