I have a wide range of materials in my 'scrap-box' accumulated over many years. A lot of the steel is free turning (leaded) but sometimes it's not. It's all potentially useful.

It quickly becomes fairly apparent if something is not going to give a really good finish, so if I need one, then I mark the 'poor' piece with a file, put it back in the bin and look for a better bit (or worse case purchase something).

However, there are lots of times when I'm not bothered if it won't turn that well and I just get the best finish I can. I take any bad tears out with a file (normal caveats – use a handle, great care etc) and usually the finished job is quite good enough for the job in hand.

Last night I needed a simple 3" 'adaptor' rod (to fit a DTI 1/4" hole to the 8mm hole on the stand). I turned a spare length of 8mm rod down to 1/4" at one end and it was pretty rough – but touched with a file and it was quickly done. A spot of paint on both ends will remind that I've made it for a reason (in case it ever gets mixed up with other off-cuts on my bench).

All done of course with simple HSS tooling – which if it's sharp will give as good a finish as you are likely to get. Some materials may not be very free-turning but they are not usually hard either.

Regards,

IanT

Edited By IanT on 18/11/2019 10:24:26

For a "Learner" – I'd certainly agree Dave, get some free turning steel (from a reliable source) and get to know your new lathe.

It will help to eliminate one of the many possible causes of poor finish when first starting out. However, once you have achieved a good finish, you should begin to be able to diagnose (or at least recognise) basic problems as you come across them, because you have probably come across them before as you've practiced your turning.

I was just making the point that you don't need certified materials for every job and that simple HSS works perfectly well most of the time. Others here have different preferences and if you are building a specific project (which will involve a lot of time invested in it's production) then it certainly makes sense to use good quality materials. But that isn't always the case in my workshop and having a good "scrap box" is not only economical but also convenient.

Regards,

IanT