Quote Originally Posted by Frank S View Post
I wouldn't put it in any class as tool steel. The properties of rebar are too loosely controlled. While some of it will have a higher carbon content it is not consistent. Rebar can be a lot like the old bed frames made a long time ago some can be drilled while there can be hard spots and soft spots. I've seen some bed frames that you could drill with bargain basement bits then just a few inches away not even a cobalt bit will go through.
You can get lucky and heat treat rebar so that it will resist a file on the surface but just under a thin case hardened layer it will still be butter soft. I try to think of it as the poorest excuse for Damascus without the pattern and no expectations of hardenability. If I can get a slight case hardening then I will stress relieve it and hope for the best.
With drift punches I often just need something to nudge 2 parts into alignment to be able to bolt something together.
Amen. One is not only risking one's own life and limb with this very dangerous use of steel of indeterminate quality, but also those in the vicinity of the rifle when it is in use. Ricking one's own life and limb is one thing, but putting others at risk especially when they are probably completely unaware of the danger is immoral and unethical.