Spark testing: missing a piece to the puzzle.

I just read what feels like a million posts about spark testing and couldn't find this answer, so I thought I would break down and ask.

When I test something, can I use a cut off wheel, or do I really have to use a grinding wheel? In my head it shouldn't make a difference either way, but I have a few things that I thought for sure were stainless, but I can't get them to spark, even in the dark. I would really like to start the day at the scrap yard tomorrow and I have no desire to go to the store right now.

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Originally Posted by holedigger

I just read what feels like a million posts about spark testing and couldn't find this answer, so I thought I would break down and ask.

When I test something, can I use a cut off wheel, or do I really have to use a grinding wheel? In my head it shouldn't make a difference either way, but I have a few things that I thought for sure were stainless, but I can't get them to spark, even in the dark. I would really like to start the day at the scrap yard tomorrow and I have no desire to go to the store right now.

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It will spark like crazy with a cut off wheel.

If it looks like stainless, is non-magnetic, and is heavy like steel, I'd feel really comfortable throwing it in stainless. No need to really grind everything. Keep in mind, the magnetic part is really important. You can get low grade stainless that is magnetic and will still spark. Most yards won't buy magnetic steel as stainless.

If you have something that is not sparking with a grinder I'd be thinking copper, aluminum, or brass. What the metal came from should give you some kind of hints.

Let me piggy back on this thread. Several bathroom fixtures I've come across are heavy like brass, but still retains the silver color when run through a grinder and no sparks whatsoever. The yard told me it was die cast aluminum. Thoughts?

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Originally Posted by jonnyjeb

Let me piggy back on this thread. Several bathroom fixtures I've come across are heavy like brass, but still retains the silver color when run through a grinder and no sparks whatsoever. The yard told me it was die cast aluminum. Thoughts?

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Probably what we used to call pot metal;

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

It could easily be cast alum or die cast. If you look at it as you spark it and it looks like it is glowing red it may be a High nickel alloy stainless. Like 316, Monel or inconel. These materials can be slightly magnetic. If its a faucet or lamp ...it's prob cast alum or brass. If it came out of a mill or was used for industrial purposes it could be a higher dollar item.

It has a brushed nickel appearance and it did glow red when I looked close. Not magnetic at all.

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Originally Posted by jonnyjeb

Let me piggy back on this thread. Several bathroom fixtures I've come across are heavy like brass, but still retains the silver color when run through a grinder and no sparks whatsoever. The yard told me it was die cast aluminum. Thoughts?

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Agree with Mechanic that it's most likely die-cast zinc, also known as pot metal. Won't be aluminum, that's far too corrosive for bathroom fixtures.

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Originally Posted by Phantoms001

It will spark like crazy with a cut off wheel.

If it looks like stainless, is non-magnetic, and is heavy like steel, I'd feel really comfortable throwing it in stainless. No need to really grind everything. Keep in mind, the magnetic part is really important. You can get low grade stainless that is magnetic and will still spark. Most yards won't buy magnetic steel as stainless.

If you have something that is not sparking with a grinder I'd be thinking copper, aluminum, or brass. What the metal came from should give you some kind of hints.

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My yard will buy it as 201, its cheaper price though but still better than regular steel price.