Front sight metal suggestion sought

[speedyb]

Hi, being a newbie is pretty tough Reading a list of steels is one thing, choosing one is another!

May I bug you guys, about what steel would you choose for making a dovetail installed, Front sight ?

thanks,
Bryan

[hammermill]

well the first answer to come to mind is 10L18,4130,4140 or old general hot rolled steel even bronze would work with a red or white bead

[speedyb]

Thanks kindly.
I have no metal.. save for a few Al scraps. lol.

Needing to place an order, so am trying to get a little of most things I might need.

[hammermill]

dont be afraid to hunter gather metal from other stuff, it everywhere you look

[Al_Messer]

Visit your local junk yard. Like a candy store to us amateurs. Take a magnet to check for Steel vs something else.

[speedyb]

yes, do need to "get a line" on the junkyard situation in my area.

[Al_Messer]

Square "key stock" available at Tractor Supply or your local hardware store will be a good Steel for a sight.

[speedyb]

sweet, that is a good tip , thanks.

[charlesb]

This is going to sound weird - but check out your local farmer's Co-Op for steel. - Especially if you live in a rural or remote area where industrial supply houses are few and far between...

Farmers are always having to do on-the-spot repairs to their tractors, plows and other heavy equipment. For this they need various sizes of round or bar stock, and monster-sized hardware. ( One-inch bolts, etc. )

All good stuff for projects.

They are used to requests for smaller amounts, so you're not always stuck buying a 20 ft. bar if you just need a few feet of it.

That's where I got a 4x8 sheet of 3/8" plate and some 2 1/2" square, 1/4" walled steel tubing to build my welding table. ( I only used half of the sheet, the rest is for miscellaneous projects. )

Anyway, if you live out in the sticks like I do, slide on over by the local farmers Co-Op and see if they've got any steel there. Chances care that they'll have some steel for you to look over - and in most Co-Ops, you can order whatever else you might need.