[modeleng] Re: Model Engineers Laser Company

Could not the hardened edges be softened in many cases by heating the steel 
hot enough to anneal the hardened edges where the laser had done its work. 
Of course the parts would need to be laid on a flat surface so they would 
not warp or sag.

Also, sort of along Harry Wade's comment, those abrasive cut off saws as are 
used to cut steel shafting to length will in effect case harden the area of 
the cut.  Learned that the hard way at the expense of a 1/2" end mill that I 
was going to cut a keyway with.  Using a disc grinder with care will remove 
the hardened area where the keyway needs to be cut.  The steel shafting in 
this case was probably common 1018 alloy, but I can't be certain of that.

Jesse Livingston in somewhat cooler and a wee bit damper (.2 inch last 
night) W. Tennessee (Troy to be exact)

At 07:52 PM 7/20/07 +0100, you wrote: The problem that you will find with 
Laser cut parts is that the edges are effectively hardened. - Clif

Interesting.  Much like the hard lesson I learned a few years ago, that the 
edges of "flame-cut" steel plates can be cutting tool killers. The most 
popular technique with live steamers over here, who are typically
1.5" scale or larger, at the moment anyway, seems to be water-jet cutting.


Regards, Harry Wade Nashville  Tennessee

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