Well I say iron, but it could be steel. Measures 5 1/2″ X 5 1/2″ X 12 3/4″ ( 140 mm X 140 mm X 343 mm).
If it is pure iron then it weighs around ( at 7.87 g/cc) 52.9 kg.
I don’t-know why this hunk o’metal pleases me, but it does. Probably says something about how easily amused I am.
shooftie 
#1 by famillysyncro on March 1, 2014 - 9:08 am
Hi Alistair
What are you planning to do with it?
Jerome
#2 by albell on March 1, 2014 - 9:33 am
Hi Jerome,
Hey, nice trip to lake Louise. Plenty of snow.
The block of iron makes a nice bench anvil. Its mass makes it good base for hammering things. I’m half thinking of putting it on the mill and facing at least two opposite sides, and milling a groove along the long axis (to locate round objects). What stops me from doing that right now is I don’t have a big cutter to make that job easier. I could probably do it with my 3/4″ end mill, certainly could use that cutter to make the 45 degree angle groove.
My other crazy project, the tire carrier, has progressed a little tacked on some gussets and support arms ( tire rests on them). It’s getting a bit out of hand 🙂
Cheers
Ab
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#3 by famillysyncro on March 1, 2014 - 9:49 am
Sounds good for the block. I think 3/4 should be enough, I don’t think you need to make it really wider or deeper.
I looked at your tire carrier and I like the reinforcing piece you added in front, it should be enough.
Not doing anything this weekend, temperature is in the -30C, I guess some rest will be nice….
Have a nice weekend.
Jerome
#4 by albell on March 1, 2014 - 9:59 am
Resting? Your getting old 🙂
I have to clarify about the 3/4″ end mill and the block. I was thinking that using the endmill would be tedious to face the block, lots of passes.
But would be good for the groove. And the groove would only be about 1/2″ wide, running along long axis. But not a flat bottomed groove, I would tilt the block ( rather than tilt the head of the mill, which can be done but it’s a pain to get the head trammed back square) 45 degrees so the groove would have a ninety degree V angle bottom.
Here is a link to a starret bench block (not bench plate, I had name wrong)
http://www.amazonsupply.com/starrett-119-alloy-steel-diameter/dp/B0006J4E3Y
They are very handy things to have.
Ab
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#5 by famillysyncro on March 2, 2014 - 6:59 am
Sure that bench block looks nice, would be really useful. Thanks for the link, I didn’t know this website. Do they ship in Canada?… I just checked, they don’t…..
I though if you were doing it yourself with a 3/4″ end mill you could get about 1″ wide and 1/2″ deep grove (about, I didn’t do the math…) but I think I am missing something.
I would have though it would be easier to move the mill head (if it is possible as mine do not move I think), not sure how to hold a piece like that at 45 degree “securely”
Anyway, I’ll be scared to put something that heavy on mine, I guess we cannot compare our mills…..
Yes, you are right, we are getting old and lazy…. we only want to get out for fun nowdays, not really for sports……I hope we can change that for spring and do more this year.
Jerome
#6 by christian on March 26, 2014 - 1:46 pm
good hunk of iron.
i understand your amusement about it.
it is simply good.
maybe move it a little from time to time.
but leave it like that.
#7 by albell on March 26, 2014 - 6:43 pm
Hi Christian,
Happy to hear of another person entranced by hunks of iron 🙂
Ever thought of attaching a long wire to a weight like this and suspending it? Thin but strong wire, long lead, let it swing. Re-do all the old physics.
Cheers
Alistair