Where To Buy Cast Iron

[roadie33]

I've been looking around my area (within 60 mi. of Kansas City) for some place to buy some cast iron.
Flat or solid round at least 7" across and 2" thick, with no luck so far.
Anyone know of anyplace that sells cast like that?

 

[Tony Wells]

Google Durabar distributors. They offer small qty shipping if there is no one close by.

 

[tertiaryjim]

Shipping is a killer. It could cost more than you pay for the material.
While the material you mentioned isn't a size they list, you could check with Enco when they have a 25% off and free shipping sale.

 

[aametalmaster]

www.lathe.com has durabar they will cut...Bob

 

[4GSR]

What is the size you need? Width x Height x Thickness.

Get me the dimensions and I'll see what I can find. Price will be what ever it will cost for shipping.

I only offer this provided it is for a personal use.

Send me a PM.

Ken

 

[coffmajt]

I have bought small quantities of cast iron from Speedy Metals with great success. They do charge for shipping but they offer many different combinations of size so you can get very close to what your final dimensions may need to be, In addition, you don't have to worry about hard spots scrapping one of your end mills == Jack

 

[hman]

Usedta was that Carr-Lane sold cast iron shapes - plates, Ls, Ts, square (box) tubes, etc. I just checked their website. No joy no mo. Even tried calling them. They told me that what you see is what you can get

 

[kd4gij]

If you are making a back plate for a lathe chuck. It might be cheaper to get a semi finished back plate.

 

[roadie33]

That is what I am looking to make kd4gij.
Just picked up a 6" 3 jaw for $59.


I just can't bring myself to pay as much for a Back Plate as I did the chuck.
I was hoping to find a piece of cast 1 1/2" thick and 6 1/2" around and make my own.
I don't mind paying a fair price but, $50 or more for a piece of cast is just ridiculous.
I have some 6 1/4" round 12L14 but I don't think that would be to good to use as a backing plate because it could get seized on the spindle threads to easy.

 

[T Bredehoft]

12L14 and whatever the spindle is made from are different metals. I don't believe seizing would be a problem, especially if you put a drop of two of light oil on the threads. Go for it, that's gotta be easier to work than cast iron. Cleaner, too.