Replies

1. 
   notDusty | Mar 30, 2003 01:21am | #1

        You might have better luck checking with metal yards or steel supply companies .Try the yellow pages under brass. Could you use a grounding rod from an electrical supply house ? not sure if they are copper or brass . Hobby shops may also be able to help you .         good luck

2. 
   TomMGTC | Mar 30, 2003 01:25am | #2

   http://www.mscdirect.com/

   Tom
3. 
   bobpowers | Mar 30, 2003 01:34am | #3

   I buy some on occasion from a local hardware store.  It's in the section where they sell threaded rod, steel angles, channels, etc.  Maybe there's one near you.

4. 
   SCFrankland | Mar 30, 2003 01:59am | #4

   Try this place you can just about everything you need.

   https://www.onlinemetals.com/

   Scott C. Frankland

5. 
   rslatm | Mar 30, 2003 02:41am | #5

   http://www.mcmaster.com

   I can place an order up till 5:30 and see it the next day with regular UPS. They don't advertise except through word of mouth.
6. 
   MrPita2 | Mar 30, 2003 02:53am | #6

   McMaster-Carr.  They have just about anything.  For brass rod, they have 1/4 and 5/16 in variety of alloys.  1/4" isn't available in 3' length.  Three alloys to choose from, $3.80 to $5.40 each.  Alloy 360 (what they say is the most common) is 6' instead of 3, $3.80 per.  5/16" is available in 4 alloy options, lengths from 3-6' are all under $10 each.  5/16" x 3', alloy 485 is $5.19 each. 

   Many more options (metric diameters, etc) - type "brass rod" in the search, and then you'll have to limit your criteria by specifying one or more of length, diameter, alloy. You'll probably pay more for the shipping than the product itself.  No order minimums, supposedly 98% of shipments are shipped with 8 hours. 

   http://www.mcmaster.com

   I have no relation to them.  Also have no personal experience ordering,  just have heard nothing but good things, like bend over backward type cust. service.  I'm usually over in Breaktime.

   If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something.

1. 
   dirtstirrer | Apr 03, 2003 08:03am | #16

   McMaster-Carr is incredible!  I ordered 1 piece of 1/4" brass rod Sunday night, UPS arived with it Wednesday morning.  Wow.  Anyting you can imagine, they have it too.  Thanks for the advice!  I will use them again. 

7. 
   Lilshaver | Mar 30, 2003 03:02am | #7

   Alaskan Copper and Brass (www.alaskancopper.com) has everything you want. They will ship UPS up to 6' lengths.

8. 
   tailsorpins | Mar 30, 2003 05:24am | #8

   Home Depot, Lowes, and most other home centers carry steel, brass and aluminum rod in 1/8" to 1/2" dia, 1', 3', and 4' lengths, as well as strip, sheet, and angles.  Check the prices closely, as often the cost per foot increases exponentially as you select the longer lengths!  If you're bending the brass, you may have to anneal it or it might fracture.  I have found the hardness varies month to month.

   John in middle Tennessee

1. 
   dirtstirrer | Mar 30, 2003 07:51am | #9

   Once again my panel of resident experts comes through. Thanks very much, I appreciate you all taking the time to respond. I need this stuff to put the finishing touches on an easel that my client needs next weekend. Thanks again, next time I'll try to come up with something harder!

   Steve

9. 
   LeeEschen | Mar 30, 2003 10:48am | #10

   Steve, as I recall, the 2003 Grizzly catalog has brass rod towards the back pages. You might check their website for quick access.

   --

   Lee in Cave Junction, Oregon

   Gateway to the Oregon Caves

1. 
   dirtstirrer | Mar 31, 2003 02:53am | #13

   Lee,

   Just ordered a piece from McMaster-Carr, but your lead gives me an excuse to look at tools to, so its much appreciated.

   Steve

10. 
    Mackwood | Mar 30, 2003 07:56pm | #11

    Steve,

    Try any machine shop.  The guys that reground my Unisaw table gave me a short piece of 5/16" for the asking.

    Good luck,

    Mack

1. 
   dirtstirrer | Mar 31, 2003 02:51am | #12

   Mack,

   Out of curiosity, why did you have to get your table reground? I checked out McMaster-Carr last night and bought a piece. That is quite a website. Sure makes the imagination go like crazy. Thanks for the idea about the machine shop, I have a favorite one of those and he could order it, bout a week, but none in stock. Did find some great bits for a twin screw end vise I'm building though.

   Steve

1. 
   Mackwood | Apr 01, 2003 02:29am | #14

   Steve,

   I got it reground because it was no longer flat.  I took the table and two wings to the shop.  They ground the edges back to 90 deg. where they bolt together, attached the wings and then ground the whole thing flat as an assembly.

   The old saw was in a school and I could just picture in my mind some fledgling hoodlum jumping up and down on it!  The table itself was pretty true but the outer edges of the wings were down by a good 1/16".  That's why I had them grind the edges first.  After that, they only had to take off about .005 to get the whole thing flat as a die!! 

   Most people don't realize it but cast iron can be bent (very slightly) and that's what I think happened to my table top.

   It worked out pretty well.  For $120.00 I got a new surface that is as good a reference as I'll ever get in my shop, I didn't have to mess around lining up the wings and it looks cool as hell!  You can't see the lines where the wings meet the table.

   Regards,

   Mack

1. 
   dirtstirrer | Apr 01, 2003 06:31am | #15

   Mack,

   I guess I always envisioned cast iron as being bend proof. The thought of a young hooligan using a tablesaw table for a spring board is enough to make a guy almost loose his supper. I bet the surface does look great now, I'm jealous as a matter of fact. Wonder if I could come up with an excuse to get mine ground....hmmmm

   Steve

11. 
    WorkshopJon | Apr 03, 2003 06:30pm | #17

    Hope that doesn't come too late. But, one of the best places to go is :

    http://www.onlinemetals.com

    I have made many purchases from them. Their prices are pretty good, and have prompt shipping. I only order from McMaster when desperate (they are pricey).

    Jon

1. 
   dirtstirrer | Apr 03, 2003 06:51pm | #18

   Thanks Jon for your lead.

   The shipping for the rod from McMaster seems a bit extravegant, but if I would have ordered more stuff, the shipping would have been less.  Next time I order from them, I'll have a bigger order ready.

   Steve