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Re: Metal Quality

To: Brian Reynolds <reynolds@LL.MIT.EDU>
Subject: Re: Metal Quality
From: Phil Ethier <ethier@freenet.msp.mn.us>
Date: Thu, 6 Mar 1997 12:24:09 -0600 (CST)
On Thu, 6 Mar 1997, Brian Reynolds wrote:

>      I have always heard people say things like Snap-On uses better metal 
>      than craftman on their socket sets.  Just by looking you can tell that 
>      there is an obvious difference in their finish.  Is there a way to 
>      tell a good quality  metal from a poor quality metal?   

Sure.  Hold it up to a grinder and analyze the spark pattern.  There are 
pictures in books you can look at. Of course, you have now ruined the wrench.

>      Another 
>      example would be drill bits.  How can you tell if a set is cheap or 
>      good quality?

You have to use drills to know if they are are any good.  Make sure you 
are buying "High-Speed" steel, not "Carbon Steel".  I bought a set of 
carbon steel taps and dies once.  It would have been faer and more fun to 
just burn the money with a match.

Phil

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