MetalworkingFun Forum

Anyone have any experience machining high strength 1144 carbon steel? I have some coming for the handle on my mill drawbar hammer. Did I make a wise choice for the intended application?

Thanks,
Ed

It's probably going to be OK, though it's a fairly soft steel. It cuts like butter, and it's main feature is its dimensional stability. Much of it is sold as "Stress Free", but it depends upon whether it's been stress relieved at the mill.

Good luck!

(07-10-2013, 09:27 PM)PixMan Wrote: [ -> ]It's probably going to be OK, though it's a fairly soft steel. It cuts like butter, and it's main feature is its dimensional stability. Much of it is sold as "Stress Free", but it depends upon whether it's been stress relieved at the mill.

Good luck!

Thanks Ken. Since this hammer is not going to see a lot of pounding, mostly just tapping on the end of the drawbar, I'm going to go ahead and use the 1144. Good to hear that it machines nicely. It makes it easy on my shiny camera.

Ed