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I wanted know if anyone has used "Shop Aide" brand 1095 feeler gauge stock. I'm currently using "Starret" feeler stock and it's not too bad. After reading Starret's website they don't say what type of stainless they use. The 1095 is a higher carbon steel and I would assume it's stronger than standard stainless feeler stock. I've spent quite a lot of time on onlinemetals.com reading about different stainless steel and most of them have around .08 - 1.2% carbon. If anyone has used this or had any insight on this that would be great. Thank you!

Is the 1095 the SAE number ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAE_steel_grades

http://www.suppliersonline.com/propertypages/1095.asp

I have been using Starrett as well, I just ordered a sheet of 316 Stainless .025" from online metals to see how that is. Apparently it is "Surgical Grade", resists rust/corrosion very well and is supposed to be pretty strong, and not overly expensive either.

I believe that is the SAE number. My end goal is to find the best steel I can in feeler stock form. I don't have the machinery to cut down large sheets of high grade steel. It would take me hours with my dremel.

Yes I am using it. Ed Smiley has one of the picks I made using it (which was polished crudely) and I am currently working on another 5 for him using the same material







Note that the picks above haven't been completely polished, there is one more step to be performed and this should take them to mirror finish. I have only used a sisal wheel on the picks above and they are already very refelective.

I haven't used Starret but I ordered some last week to compare. The Shop Aide 1095 feels very similar to the Falle-Safe picks (in weight and rigidity). I have worked the Shop Aide 1095 using a Dremel, a belt grinder and a regular grinder without any problems. It is a very hard steel and because you are working with a thin sheet (.025" in my case because that is the same thickness as the Falle-Safe picks) it is easy to "burn" so you must quench often to avoid destroying the temper and bluing the metal. Personally, I would be happy to purchase commercial (or bespoke) picks made from this material. Hope this helps.

Yes, 1095 is the AISI/SAE number.

Thank you Piotr, those picks look amazing by the way!! PM me with how much you charge. I'd love to get a few!

I'd like to know how that 316 stainless works out. I called them and asked them if they sold the stainless tempered or annealed and they said everything they make comes annealed. They said the customer has to temper the metal if they want to because everyone has different methods of tempering. That was the only reason I didn't order anything yet. I'm sure the method that is used to make stainless makes it very strong, even in it's annealed condition. I could be wrong because I didn't get too in depth with my questions.

Yeah, I'm cutting it into sheets tomorrow at my dad's house since he has equipment, and I'll start knocking out a few test picks with it. If it is a little too soft or flexible I'm probably going to Case Harden it since it is a lot less work than full on cold/hard work tempering. I think for something like a pick, a couple rounds of Case Hardening should work out, especially since it is a low carbon mild steel anyway.

I'll let you know how it turns out.