tools, materials & knowledge for model makers
Being very new to this I wanted to look at copper versus steel for enameling. Most commercial enamel signs and cases are enameled steel. These normally use a special grade and surface finish steel designed for enameling. In the hobby and craft world copper is the chosen base material. But what are the real differences? … Read more
The WG Ball wet process enamel steel ground coat is quite frankly “Enamel Glue for Steel”. This is a metal oxide based primer that you can mix with water and either spray, dip or paint onto steel. This is then fired at 800°C-820°C. 250g of this costs approximately £13.50 (July 2021) from CooksonGold. A previous … Read more
I needed to make some long double ended bolts for a friend who’s restoring a motorbike. After some searching we decided on EN8 Steel: EN8 Engineering Steel is an unalloyed carbon steel with reasonable tensile strength. It can be flame or induction hardened and is a readily machinable material. When heat treated, EN8 offers moderate … Read more
A page around the subject of steel and it’s application allows me to bring information together and help to build on a knowledge base. Steel is an iron-based alloy containing carbon, and other alloying elements eg manganese. Steel contains anywhere between 0.2% carbon for soft wire and sheet steel and 1.5% carbon for cutting tools. … Read more