Pole piece material?

[peskywinnets]

Just wondering if anyone know what grade of steel pickup pole pieces are normally made from...I'm assuming that it's some form of stainless (else they'd all rust - or are they just plated standard mild steel?)), but most stainless steel is not magnetic...of the magnetic stainless steel varieties, only a few are available in rod format?

So what grade of steel are pole pieces normally made from?

Does anyone know of a source for uncut steel rods (to be able to make custom length pole pieces)

[salvarsan]

Just wondering if anyone know what grade of steel pickup pole pieces are normally made from...I'm assuming that it's some form of stainless (else they'd all rust - or are they just plated standard mild steel?)), but most stainless steel is not magnetic...of the magnetic stainless steel varieties, only a few are available in rod format?

So what grade of steel are pole pieces normally made from?

Does anyone know of a source for uncut steel rods (to be able to make custom length pole pieces)

Pole pieces are usually 1018 or 1010 mild steel with nickel plating.

The type 400 stainless are magnetic but their magnetic permeability isn't as good as mild steel.

Alternatively, you could go exotic and do a nickel core with a 430 or 440 stainless wrapper. They require no plating, only polishing.

[peskywinnets]

Alternatively, you could go exotic and do a nickel core with a 430 or 440 stainless wrapper. They require no plating, only polishing.

Thanks. How do you mean "nickel core with wrapper"? Got a link to how this is put together?!

[salvarsan]

Thanks. How do you mean "nickel core with wrapper"? Got a link to how this is put together?!

Nope.
The usual way is to think of it as putting an interference-fit or press-fit rod in a bushing.
You freeze the rod, heat the bushing, press-fit the rod, allow assembly to equilibrate to ambient temperature.

Edit:
Adelaide Engineering has a nice demo on freezing a part prior to installation. They use liquid nitrogen. The rest of us put it in the freezer while warming the outer part with a heat lamp or similar.
https://youtu.be/US6rMtLR6nE

That was just a smart-ass suggestion. Seymour Duncan uses Nickel core 440 stainless tube for their flagship Zephyr PAFs.

Regular nickel plated mild steel is abundant, inexpensive, and works well.
I would modify your question just a little and ask instead,


"Who makes the best PAF pole pieces?

How do I get them?"


--hizself