Cast Iron stock

[Brian H]

I have a small project I would like to use cast iron for. I don't have a clue where to start looking for material. Any suggestions?
I prefer to find some in SK or AB
This being said,if any other SK members on the forum could enlighten me as to where you get small amount of material I would appreciate it.
I have only found Steelmet in Saskatoon and I will go broke very quickly buying there.
Thanks in advance

 

[YYCHM]

Why cast iron?

 

[DPittman]

What sort of dimensions?

 

[Brian H]

Why cast iron?

I want to make a QCTP with slightly larger dimensions than the one I currently have which is aluminum. I wanted to try cast since it machines so much easier than steel. I watched a youtube video on Ades Workshop and it worked out very well for him.

 

[Brian H]

What sort of dimensions?

I need a solid block 2" x 2" x 1.5" for a QCTP. I am replicating the aluminum one I currently have only slightly larger. I'm hoping to gain some more rigidity yet still be able to use my tool holders.

 

[PeterT]

I'll be watching too. Usually when this topic comes up its the sound of crickets, or someone graciously opens up a personal, limited stash. USA guys have lots of options that just don't have equivalencies in Kanuckistan. The material isn't horribly expensive, its just a $$ bugger to ship. Speedy only goes UPS which is brutal. On a weight basis inside USA, UPS is not abnormal, but into Canada the customs dinger fees will eat your lunch. If you can arrange a drop in a USA border facility that will bring the price down but it has to align to a trip or whatever.
http://www.speedymetals.com/c-8386-cast-iron.aspx

 

[Brian H]

I'll be watching too. Usually when this topic comes up its the sound of crickets, or someone graciously opens up a personal, limited stash. USA guys have lots of options that just don't have equivalencies in Kanuckistan. The material isn't horribly expensive, its just a $$ bugger to ship. Speedy only goes UPS which is brutal. On a weight basis inside USA, UPS is not abnormal, but into Canada the customs dinger fees will eat your lunch. If you can arrange a drop in a USA border facility that will bring the price down but it has to align to a trip or whatever.
http://www.speedymetals.com/c-8386-cast-iron.aspx

Shipping is really the biggest cost when you live just out side of Upper Rubber Boot SK. I really was surprised how little Saskatoon had to offer. There are only a couple metal suppliers here. If you're not buying a semi load they're not interested and Steel met will sell to you , but you pay a very premium price with a VERY limited selection of sizes.
I got a couple quotes out of Metal Supermarket in Edmonton and the freight was 4 times the cost of the materials....

 

[PeterT]

I've checked a few border service places, they are all quite competitive. They hold your goodies for X$ per shipment, usually quite reasonable. But now you have to do the math of tank(s) of gas to retrieve it. Of course the usual thing - makes more sense if its more stuff, but more stuff costs more money. It lends itself to a group buy between buddies a couple times a year. Or if the planets align & you are visiting States & can order the week prior so its sitting there.

I use DYK for certain issues like this but they are only in Calgary & Edmonton thus far AFAIK.
https://www2.dykpost.com/canada-bound-shipping/

 

[Tom Kitta]

I can cut you a slice of cast iron - through it will be round & you can machine it square.

 

[YYCHM]

I can cut you a slice of cast iron - through it will be round & you can machine it square.

Hey Tom,

I'm looking for a chunk that would land me a piece 2" X 1-1/8" X 3 1/4". Can you help me?

Anyone else in the Calgary area have a chunk that size to part with?

Thanks,

Craig

 

[Tom O]

There was a place off of Barlow trail down the road near just north of Transcontinental where I bought some 4” round I’ll have to go back there and see if they are still going.

 

[YYCHM]

There was a place off of Barlow trail down the road near just north of Transcontinental where I bought some 4” round I’ll have to go back there and see if they are still going.

What in the world would cast iron round stock be used for?

 

[Brent H]

gears..........ya baby!

 

[YYCHM]

gears..........ya baby!

Gears? Why gears?

Been trying to think of what a wreckers might have for CA and all's I can come up with is engine blocks and intake manifolds. Both are a little too large for my bandsaw and probably more void space than solid metal. Anything else come to mind?

 

[Rusty Metalhead]

..............cast iron frying pans, cast iron pots, auto brake rotors, brake calipers,probably all kinds of cast iron parts lying around any railroad repair shop.

 

[francist]

Fittings, pumps, heavy pipe, lots of oil and gas products. And that’s the trouble, and beauty, of cast — it doesn’t typically show up in big solid lumps because it’s cast into precise shapes. Unless you happen to need one of those already cast shapes, the odds of finding a lump big enough to whittle your part out of is pretty slim.

 

[Rusty Metalhead]

and a good one that might work if the thickness is right, is a cast iron automobile flywheel...already flat on two sides.

 

[YYCHM]

..............cast iron frying pans, cast iron pots, auto brake rotors, brake calipers,probably all kinds of cast iron parts lying around any railroad repair shop.

Ya, I'm sure a railway repair shop has all sorts of large solid CA stuff laying around LOL.

 

[Tom O]

Manhole cover? Lol I bought it for cylinder head and pistons for my Dads steam engine.
Brent that is in the stars I should get the imperial involute gear cutters within the week from Amazon/China I'll finally be able to use the 4th axis on the Haas once I figure it out in CAD luckily though my Son said we should get Bobcad which has the program for gears / sprockets.

 

[Rusty Metalhead]

railroad cast iron parts

https://www.google.com/search?q=cas...ECAwQAw&biw=1680&bih=907#imgrc=--Qf320zLvim8M