Metallurgy question

[ayjay]

I've mislaid my little flat crowbar and am looking to buy a new one, there's a couple on Ebay at virtually the same price (and one at £116) - I'm just wondering if there's much difference between "drop-forged, heat treated carbon steel" and "stamped alloy steel, hardened and tempered".

I'll probably end up buying the £116 jobbie when I find it at the right price elsewhere or if the seller ever gets back to me with the right price - that one's made from - "Drop Forged High Carbon Spring Steel" - will that be better anyway?

In case you don't know flat bars, here's a pic, they are fantastically useful little tools.

flatbar modified.jpg (98.97 KiB) Viewed 2693 times

[big-all]

drop forge is several operation "hammring" into shape
pressed is one movement with hydraulic pressure rather than weight

hammer out moves the material in a plasticine type way giving extra s

[Hitch]

Drop forging is done with a hot piece of metal, then forced into a die by a drop hammer.

Stamped alloy steel, probably uses a hydraulic (or flywheel type) press to cut the shape out from a coil of the relevant steel.

Heat treated carbon steel is probably pressed out (stamped) and heat treating is hardening and tempering as far as i am aware...

As regard to which is best....

[ayjay]

As regard to which is best....

That was the important bit.

I've gone for the stamped alloy steel - with lifetime guarantee - (I've often wondered what that means if you really think about it).

[kellys_eye]

"....till we go out of business"

[big-all]

"....till we go out of business"

exactly a gtee means you are covered for at least a few days or until they go out off buisiness