Stainless steel rod

Originally Posted by dirtydog

3m??? I only need 400mm of it to make a couple of clutch pushrods

that's generally, they might have small off cut lying around if you ask.

[embee]

If it's for clutch pushrods you might be better off with "silver steel", which is easily hardened if you want. Practically any engineering stockists would have that, model makers etc.

Here for example

Here's how to harden and temper it

If you fancy a Titanium one, Ive got one that you could pull out of my thigh.... just about the right size too.

[dirtydog]

Originally Posted by embee

If it's for clutch pushrods you might be better off with "silver steel", which is easily hardened if you want. Practically any engineering stockists would have that, model makers etc.

Here for example

Here's how to harden and temper it

Right so if i get some silver steel I can harden it by heating it up? Would a blow torch be enough to heat it up enough (decent torch with MAPP gas)?

Originally Posted by robchester

If you fancy a Titanium one, Ive got one that you could pull out of my thigh.... just about the right size too.

Cool now where's my circular saw gone

[embee]

Originally Posted by dirtydog

Right so if i get some silver steel I can harden it by heating it up? Would a blow torch be enough to heat it up enough (decent torch with MAPP gas)?

Yes, you'll only need to harden the ends anyway. If you search on google-fu you'll find a colour guide which will give you a good idea of how hot it is (cherry red etc) for hardening temp and then for what it will look like after tempering. Note the comments about viewing it in darkened conditions to see the colours correctly, it's surprisingly accurate.

After heating slowly to hardening temperature quench in water (but not right down to cold, take it out when still hot - 200C ideally) and then keep it at an appropriate tempering temperature (oven will usually be ideal if you're allowed, top of the oven set to 180C usually works) for the appropriate time as per the directions.

For a clutch pushrod it's not going to be critical anyway.

Experiment on a bit first, you'll tell if it's hard by trying to file it.

You need to temper it after hardening otherwise it will probably end up too hard and brittle and may chip at edges etc, tempering will reduce the hardness a bit but increase the toughness. With the sort of size material you're using it should be pretty easy to experiment.

If you want to soften it again, heat it up to the same red colour and then let it cool very slowly (turn the flame down and withdraw it gradually, allow to air cool), it should end up soft.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by dirtydog

Anyone know where I can get some 5mm stainless steel rod?
I only need about 400mm

I'm not going to help you find something to beat Kitkat with