I like the idea of auto flywheels. They are made from excellent quality cast iron. Most cars and light truck have automatic transmissions now. I suspect flywheels will be hard to find in a few years.
Weights for barbells have no metallurgical requirements for the metal. Most are cast in China. I would suspect they are poor quality iron with lots of graphite. If the molds were opened too soon there will be a very hard skin. Would one really want to invest time in trying to make a gear from this questionable material?
Surely there are steel fabricators in Scotland. One could burn a gear blank out of plate, complete with lightening holes (for chucking also). Most can accept DXF files of the part. If you have a torch you could burn out the circle yourself. Most fabricators have a pile of drop ready to be sent to a scrap yard. That would be cheaper than buying new plate.
Weights for barbells have no metallurgical requirements for the metal. Most are cast in China. I would suspect they are poor quality iron with lots of graphite. If the molds were opened too soon there will be a very hard skin. Would one really want to invest time in trying to make a gear from this questionable material?
Surely there are steel fabricators in Scotland. One could burn a gear blank out of plate, complete with lightening holes (for chucking also). Most can accept DXF files of the part. If you have a torch you could burn out the circle yourself. Most fabricators have a pile of drop ready to be sent to a scrap yard. That would be cheaper than buying new plate.
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