Alloy vs. Carbon

[TheDudeAbides]

Hey folks,

I just got a grinder to try and put a pick set together. Down at the hardware store they sell normal carbon steel hacksaw blades or alloy blades. The allow blades are a bit cheaper so i'm interested, but i don't want to go for something that will be a waste of cash. What do you all think?

[tballard]

Carbon steel. All the way. I'm also a huge fan of "drain cleaning tape". Where I live, a 25 foot roll will set you back ~ $10.00 (USD). The only problem is that you have to thin the tips since the stock is 1/32nd thick.

[nothumbs]

You might also do a search on eBay for shim stock or feeler stock. Stuff is cheap, no teeth to grind off and for $10-$15 you pretty much get a lifetime supply.

[maintenanceguy]

all steel is "carbon steel". The amount of carbon (and a few other ingredients) effects the hardness of the steel. How the steel is processed, also has a huge effect on the hardness, ductility, brittleness, temper, etc. The advertising term "carbon steel" tells you nothing.

To make the water's even more murky, steel is an allow. So "allow blades" tells you as little as "carbon steel".

Sorry, you just can't tell what you want to know from these two terms.

[raimundo]

Mmm, the y on some of the keyboards is gone out? I thought that the w would go out first, as thats whats used to advance your player.
maintainence is right, all steel is alloy and has carbon, the things that sharpen well and are hard edged, are high carbon content, which is around 2 or 3 percent. This type of steel is easy rusting, so it has to be kept oiled or at least clean and dry.