Machining properties of steel
Hello All,
I’m upgrading my CNC router for increased stability and want to fabricate a few parts out of steel (consider me a total newbie when it comes to steel or metal working in general). I have extensive woodworking experience and some (very little) metal working experience.
The first part I need to make is essentially a flat sheet with a lot of tapped holes and a few through holes. My initial choice of steel is hot rolled A36 or hot rolled 1045 (based on cost and local availability). I’m leaning towards the 1045. My available machinery is all woodworking (drill press, etc. no Bridgeport or anything good like that), as well as a standard big box store tap and die set. Of the two types of steel mentioned is 1045 my better choice or should I go with the A36 (because it's typically softer)?
I assume softer means easier to work, but I could be wrong about that too. Since many of the holes will be threaded and since 1045 is sometimes used for threaded pieces that is also part of my decision making process.
Thanks
Steven
If you cut it to small you can always nail another piece on the end, but if you cut it to big... then what the hell you gonna do?
Steven