Due to a question in one of the other discussions, I got curious about present day sources for the rounded steel strips I know as "wagon iron." While once a stock rolled steel mill shape, this material has slipped into the specials category. Thanks to some knowledgeable people on the Practical Machinist discussion groups, I now know that the proper name for the section is Half Oval Moulding. Here is some current day information:

"This is the kind of thing that used to be really common, and now is very tough to track down."

"Half round is just that- half of a round. A lot heavier than what you want.
There may be a tiny bit of half oval still made in steel- last time I wanted some, only a couple of sizes were available, special order."

These guys claim to carry it-

http://www.bmgmetals.com/products/hr_half.php

"It's still available in aluminum, where it is used to trim upholstery, in boat applications, and so on. Futura is the biggest manufacturer of stock sizes of oddball aluminum extrusions for the flooring, cabinet, and upholstery industries, and they do make some half ovals."

http://www.futuraind.com/aluminum-extrusion

then download their industrial catalog.

"These kinds of shapes are also more available in brasses and bronzes. Not cheap, of course."

http://www.lewisbrass.com/rodmix.htm#halfs

Someone also suggested a marine supplier, but cautioned that the brass, bronze, and 316 stainless materials were, "breathtakingly expensive."

http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/browse.cfm/moulding/2,478,1.html

Also suggested for sources were:

http://kingmetals.com/Home.aspx

http://www.frankmorrow.com/Products/index.cfm?displayGrouping=8&StartRow=1

and I found:

http://www.anvilmag.com/ad/bayshore.htm

Not sure that Bayshore has a web site, so here is their contact info:

Bayshore Metals, Inc.
P.O. Box 882003
San Francisco, CA 94188-2003
Phone: 415/647-7981
Phone: 800/533-2493
Fax: 415/285-5759
Contact: Ron Marchand

This is the only source I've found for the narrower 3/4" material.

Anyone else has sources, please post them here and add them to the list.

Dennis,

The last time I visited the National Tramway Museum in Crich, England, they were using something similar for several parts on streetcar/tram restorations. For instance, this type of material is used to edge the metal dashers on the platforms.

Speaking of edging, I seem to recall something similar used on steam locomotive tenders; Ed Miller has a photo of Half Oval looking material used as the trim on the water tank construction for the Climax at Cass: http://www.msrlha.org/climax/2010-11-13/slides/102.html

Dave Crow

The material in the photo of the Climax tank appears to be half round, it has a higher dome shape, truly one half of a circle. This material is just a bit easier to find than half oval... kinda' like chicken lips as opposed to hens teeth.

That being said, I'm sure I've seen half oval used on a tender somewhere.

The Bayshore Metals listing shows multiple sizes of half round also.

Dennis:

This research and list are priceless - thank you!

Listed in the central steel and wire catalog, I have also seen a product referred to as 1/4 round.


http://www.centralsteel.com/index.php?o ... Itemid=179

Cheers, Jason