How to tell EN1A

[Chris DentonParticipant @chrisdenton53037]

Morning, I've had some steel delivered. It is meant to be EN1A.

it is a lot harder to cut, the chips are different and the cut surface finish isn't as good.

The bar has a very smooth finish with a fine spiral pattern and is very bright, like stainless. There is no pitting like there is with my usual EN1A. I

Its very similar to EN8 to machine.

[Chris DentonParticipant @chrisdenton53037]

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Have you checked your delivery note / receipt.. is there any colour ID on the end of any of the pieces… ?

George.

[Chris DentonParticipant @chrisdenton53037]

Yes, delivery note said EN1A and the colour on the end was the correct colour they use for EN1A.

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Get a bar from another source, with a receipt, and compare them on your lathe

Sounds like it's going to be a pain to get it sorted out

[Chris DentonParticipant @chrisdenton53037]

I have loads of EN1A here from the same supplier, completely different. I'm having to lower the speed and reduce the cut depth on this stuff!

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

I'd take it back, with a sample from the previous delivery. Sounds like they've cocked up the grade designation when it arrived at their warehouse

edit: If EN8 is 100quid a ton and EN1 is 20 quid a ton it might be worth hanging onto it…

I Checked, no real difference

Edited By Ady1 on 18/05/2015 11:07:21

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

EN8 machines quite nice, this sounds more like EN3 or 3B which can be a bit stringy to cut.

The spiral marks are no test, all depends on which set of dies they pull the material thru.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Check you aren't comparing EN1aPb with EN1a.

Neil

[Chris DentonParticipant @chrisdenton53037]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 18/05/2015 11:44:25:

Check you aren't comparing EN1aPb with EN1a.

Neil

Is there that much difference?

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I would say "it is a lot harder to cut, the chips are different and the cut surface finish isn't quite as good."

Neil

Steel cuts like butter

Tubal Cain puts 'freecutting mild steel' (EN1aPb) in the same machinability class as brass, and a different one from ordinary mild steel.

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 18/05/2015 12:36:12

[Chris DentonParticipant @chrisdenton53037]

Thanks.

The supplier took it back and replaced it.

All is good again.

[Nigel McBurney 1Participant @nigelmcburney1]

I have bought my steel from two large suppliers over the last twenty years,all in 10 ft lengths, and I have noticed variations in machinability ,particularly the steel with the slight spiral marks,which I assume is from a rolling process,plus the occasional laminations which can be heard clicking during turning,on one occasion a lump fell out from a 40 mm bar,plus correctly marked material supplied but not what I ordered,and this from companies with all the quality approvals!!!

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