Hot rolled steel vs pickled and oiled steel - my .02

[gamble]

PIcked up about 20 sheets of this for my table and never used PO'd steel before. Up until now it's all been hot rolled.

Just wanted to share my experience with you guys on it. If my local place can keep giving me the same price and turn it around quicker than a few weeks out I will be going with PO'd steel ALL DAY LONG. This stuff is amazing compared to hot rolled. No need to muratic acid to remove mill scale. Dross comes out MUCH MUCH MUCH easier. Polishes great and easily as well.

I'd highly recommend you guys try it if given a chance.

[davek0974]

Yep, just started using it here too, 3mm, it was called cold reduced and oiled by my supplier.

Nice clean cuts, little dross and no scale to lose.

I washed the oil off first with white spirit.

[JEd]

I also only by either P&O or cold rolled depending on the thickness. Cold rolled for anything less than 11 gauge. P&O for thicker.

[JohnnyC]

Do i need to clean the oil off before cutting?

[motoguy]

Do i need to clean the oil off before cutting?

It does not affect the cutting. If you're going to finish the item after this cut, IE paint or powder coat, I find it as much easier to spray and wipe down the sheet before cutting. As opposed to trying to wipe down the object after it has been cut out, usually with a bunch of pointy sharp edges that collect lint.

[Old Iron]

I've used P&O steel for years. I get it from my supplier for the same as hot rolled.

[DXF]

Do i need to clean the oil off before cutting?

Yes, I would recommend it. When you heat metal it expands and absorbs the preservative deeper which when you powder coat and heat it up again can cause problems. I have been buying 4' x 4' sheets and clean them with lacquer thinner before cutting and after finish grinding, works great. I am going to start buying cold rolled again.....more $ less work!

Dave Hanks

[liamfmvt]

I'm looking at some HRPO and HR and the differences there in. I like the idea of PO for cutting, but I'm going to be painting one side of the sheet with a high temp paint (fire pit). What is the process needed prior to painting? Sounds like the price increase for PO may save time on welding and dross, but will it add significant time on paint prep?

[adbuch]

Yes - my cnc laser shop uses P&O. Nice finish with no scale.
David

[liamfmvt]

David, what do you do for paint prep, if any?

[davek0974]

I hit it with a DA sander to give it a key then wipe with MEK, blow off and powder coat.

[adbuch]

David, what do you do for paint prep, if any?

Hi Liam,
Most of these laser cut parts are either welded in to assemblies or shipped in bare metal as part of my P-Max Kits and English Wheel Kits. I don't do any power coating, but for painting (depending of the application) I would probably clean with lacquer thinner and paint, or possibly glass bead and paint.
David