expensive shipping on steel for hammer head

[Steven Gillespie]

got a few projects on my bench, but a larger hammer is needed, ive found a source for 1045 for making a japanese forging hammer, but the shipping is as much as the steel, for only a 12" piece.Do you have any other sources for steel suitable for hammer heads that doesnt cost as much to ship as the piece itself?

[Al Massey]

got a few projects on my bench, but a larger hammer is needed, ive found a source for 1045 for making a japanese forging hammer, but the shipping is as much as the steel, for only a 12" piece.Do you have any other sources for steel suitable for hammer heads that doesnt cost as much to ship as the piece itself?

Do you have any steel stores near you that stock "PGS" (Precision Ground Shafting)? It's the same thing as 1045.

[B Finnigan]

Speedy Metals will ship in USPS flat rate boxes if you call in the order and ask. Otherwise if you order online they will use UPS which can get spendy. That is if your steel/metal is under 12"-14" and will fit. They carry a few alloy steels and some drill rod steels (flat bar also).

[Jan Ysselstein]

got a few projects on my bench, but a larger hammer is needed, ive found a source for 1045 for making a japanese forging hammer, but the shipping is as much as the steel, for only a 12" piece.Do you have any other sources for steel suitable for hammer heads that doesnt cost as much to ship as the piece itself?

 

Steven,

 

The steel you are buying is a very commonly used steel and is probably available locally. Please correct me if I am wrong..fork lift forks, hydraulic cylinder rods.... You may find out what heavy truck axels are made of and see if they will work in your application.. Yesterday I was looking at a Japanese smith on youtube making knives using a western ball peen hammer ....they must think western hammers are exotic.

[Dan O'Connor]

surprisingly,

 

I get a lot of my small steel rounds from Amazon,. They have a division called Small Parts.

 

Found this

1045 round

 

How about 4140? More choices

 

I am Amazon Prime member so shipping is free.

Edited December 28, 2012 by Danocon

[Doug Lester]

One outfit that sells cut-offs on Ebay is Shapiro Metals. I got a 87 lb block of steel from them and the shipping wasn't too bad.

 

Doug

[Steven Gillespie]

oh wow, you guys turn up more sources than a Google search! I don't know of any local suppliers, since im still new to Tennessee, but ill look at your suggestions and hopefully order and forge me a new hammer.

 

Doug, ive ran across their site, they recently had some big rounds and squares of wrought up to about 2.5". i was tempted to buy it for tsuba blanks and guard blanks.

 

Dan, i never knew amazon carried steel, i was probably in the wrong section..

 

Jan, i don't know the area well enough to source out scrap parts, ive been watching alot of Japanese forging videos lately, ive also seen japanese smiths using western hammers, most are tool makers who need the head shapes.

 

Thank you guys for the info, ill post some pictures of the finished hammer when im satisfied with it.

[Phil Rosche]

I bought 6 feet of 1045 from Southern Toolsteel, I did have them wack it in half to save on shipping. I think you just have to bite the bullet. Here's an English pattern cross pein I made out of the 1045:

 

[Steven Gillespie]

I like the hammer, ive seen heads like that, but never knew what the pattern was. im gonna call in my order to speedy metals for flat rate shipping, im saving on money as much as i can, since im out of a job, and still no luck on finding on.

[VaughnT]

Steve, utilities locating companies are always hiring. The starting pay might not be great, but the take-home company vehicle offsets that a good bit. All of the local utilities (phone, sewer, power, water) will have locators or sub-contractors, and it doesn't take any experience to get your foot in the door.

 

I have some mystery metal here that'd I'd donate to the cause if you're game. It's shafting from a conveyor system from where my dad used to work. Don't know the type of steel, but it's 1.25" in diameter and has a look and feel that tells me it isn't mild steel. Good for practicing on even if it doesn't turn into a good hammer. Let me know.