Mild Steel, What do I use?

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Plenty of commercially available 660 nuts made and sold so as you have the material it should be fine

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Circlip on 09/02/2023 10:32:54:

Makes one wonder how models were made without having a degree in Metallurgy. Can you mark it with a file? OK for general work. Need some tough stuff? Car half shaft. Ability to correctly grind a lathe tool superceeded by the proliferation of carbides.

Oh how we have become NASA suppliers.

Regards Ian.

A great deal depends on what sort of Model Engineer you are, and it's a broad church.

I offer this table that characterises Modellers as opposed to Engineers.

In reality most of us have a foot in both camps, but some Modellers see no reason for anything other than simple practicalities whilst others need professional engineering technique. Maybe design sets the boundary: I suggest original Design calls for a good theoretical understanding, whilst making things from a plan or experience doesn't. Practical skills are good enough. A designer has to know how to make a car half-shaft as strong as it needs to be, whilst a practical men can just use the metal when they 'Need some tough stuff'. The practical man is only in trouble when what he's doing demands understanding outside his comfort-zone, which might never happen. Lucky him, because there's a constant demand to do things better and cheaper, which requires qualified engineers who understand how technology might be driven forward.

Dave

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Posted by Circlip on 09/02/2023 10:32:54:

Makes one wonder how models were made without having a degree in Metallurgy. Can you mark it with a file? OK for general work. Need some tough stuff? Car half shaft. Ability to correctly grind a lathe tool superceeded by the proliferation of carbides.

Oh how we have become NASA suppliers.

Regards Ian.

I suppose back in the day the majority of model engineers had a background in some form of engineering and would have been taught what to use at an early age. With little in the way of technical subjects now being taught people have to ask.

Rebar is quite easy to mark with a file but I would not suggest it to any newcomer to make parts for a model steam engine, hopefully my first reply was more useful to the OP.

[Anonymous]

Posted by SillyOldDuffer on 09/02/2023 13:15:07:

I offer this table that characterises Modellers as opposed to Engineers

Oh dear, I come out as almost 100% engineer.

Andrew

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