What do you use for practice plates?

[Donny]

Hello everyone,

I usually use the 2x2 or 2x4 practice plates from GRS...but have found that most knives and weapons I do rarely cut as easy as those plates. They are great for initial layout thoughts and the like but I was wondering if anyone had used other sources for plates?

Would a cold rolled steel of 1018 2x2 or 2x4by 1/4 to 3/8 thick be any good?

Additionally I've gone to local metal scrap yards and lucked out with some good steel and brass pieces but again a good steady supplier would be nice.

Any Help would be great.

Donny

 

[mitch]

you're gonna run into all sorts of hard, soft, slag-ridden, gummy junk in the course of engraving guns, knives, & jewelry. why deny yourself all that fun in practice?

 

[Beathard]

GRS plates get expensive. I would like a good source as well.

 

[GTJC460]

There's probably some tool and die/machine shops in Phoenix. That would be a good place to check for scrap steel.

There might be some sheet metal suppliers there too.

Welding and fabrication shops might have scrap steel too.

 

[GTJC460]

If you want some really nice plate to work with, cronite in New Jersey is top notch.

I think the last time I order some 18ga 2x2 plates they were like $0.80 each. The cronite plates are the same stuff that GRS sells in the Advanced Drawing of scrolls Ron Smith kits.

It cuts really nice and doesn't rust up as fast as mild steel plates.

 

[Donny]

Thanks Mitch...I know exactlllllllllly what you mean!

Bert...I will give those places a go of it...

Donny

 

[silverchip]

you're gonna run into all sorts of hard, soft, slag-ridden, gummy junk in the course of engraving guns, knives, & jewelry. why deny yourself all that fun in practice?

LOL!!! While at the steel suppliers, see if they have any stainless,that way you get a good dose of tool sharpening practice too!!!!

 

[monk]

not to deny grs, or any other supplier- my local jy is a good source for me--being the cheapskate i am. last week scored a 22 pound copper sheet, 1/8" tk. a huge plate with many buckles or whatever-secretly waiting to come to life. some areas very clean, some would require going thru a series of grits .800 would be a good starting point with the scratched areas. the employees there know me and look out for my interests. cost me $12 bucks0 an excellent deal.

 

[Donny]

not to deny grs, or any other supplier- my local jy is a good source for me--being the cheapskate i am. last week scored a 22 pound copper sheet, 1/8" tk. a huge plate with many buckles or whatever-secretly waiting to come to life. some areas very clean, some would require going thru a series of grits .800 would be a good starting point with the scratched areas. the employees there know me and look out for my interests. cost me $12 bucks0 an excellent deal.

Now that is a SCORE I will still be hitting the few scrap yards here too...

Donny

 

[Scottyd]

Tira has some steel practice plates that are reasonably priced. Also check out speedymetals.com. They are also on eBay. They will cut whatever you want for free. Shipping is reasonable and they are great to work with. Too bad they don't have any 416 stainless.
Scott

 

[Brian Marshall]

Once upon a time we had 7 junkyards... now we have 3 "recyclers" - and they don't let you buy ANYTHING or even look around!

You might trip or cut yerself...


Brian

 

[Beathard]

Bert, where in NJ are you getting the cronite?

 

[silverchip]

Tira has some steel practice plates that are reasonably priced. Also check out speedymetals.com. They are also on eBay. They will cut whatever you want for free. Shipping is reasonable and they are great to work with. Too bad they don't have any 416 stainless.
Scott

Try Online Metals

 

[Beathard]

I live GRS, but the shipping minimum is HIGH. I've shipped shotguns for less than 10 gravers.

 

[GTJC460]

Bert, where in NJ are you getting the cronite?

http://cronite.com/

Just call them. They will ship you whatever you want.

 

[Roger Bleile]

I live GRS, but the shipping minimum is HIGH. I've shipped shotguns for less than 10 gravers.

I once had to pay $16. shipping for one C-Max graver that could have been put into an envelope and mailed for 45 cents.

 

[DevilDog]

Whenever I go to Phoenix or Tucson, I always try to stop by Industrial Metal Supply. The Phoenix store is on 48th street (across from Tempe Diablo stadium). I usually tell the wife I will only be in the store for ten minutes. It nevers happens. They have a great selection of remnant metal to turn into practise plates. They have remnants in copper, brass, cold-rolled, stainless, etc. If you go, take gloves to dig in the scrap bins.

Shawn

 

[Donny]

DevilDog....I will give them a go this week..I work at the airport so I'm pretty close to that area.

Donny