Originally Posted by
Toolmaker51
At $0.30, steel would be huge news here. Scrap rate is so high, it's virtually unobtainable, no matter what configuration of red iron, tubing, common bar stock, plate etc.
With less machinery being cast iron these days (and that advantage of natural dampening), you'll do well creating artificial filler that will accomplish that. Sand mixed with a little oil is a common material. Concrete type ballast shrinks, losing contact with vessel containing it, nullifying desired effect.
Building a machine of weldments is a super ambitious undertaking, I'll be following your posts, despite late joining the party. You'll get plenty of assistance from the entire HMT.net community.