--- title: Machining Steel and Steel Alloys in Reno | Wolf Machine url: https://wolfmachinenv.com/materials/steel-and-steel-alloys/ business: Wolf Machine & Fabrication, Inc. address: 4812 Longley Ln, Reno, NV 89502 phone: (775) 359-5570 hours: Shop Monday-Friday 7:00 am-3:30 pm; closed Saturday and Sunday type: Metal and plastic fabrication and machining (custom and CNC machining, welding, metal and plastic fabrication, gearbox and part repair, align boring, metal spray) --- [Photo: Stock photo: racks of steel tube, angle and bar stock] - [Home](https://wolfmachinenv.com/) - [Materials we machine](https://wolfmachinenv.com/materials/) - Steels and steel alloys # Machining steel and steel alloys Steels and steel alloys are the most common material on our floor, and they cover everything from mild steel plate to alloy shafts. Choosing the grade comes down to what the part has to do: carry load, resist wear or be welded. Stock photo: racks of steel tube, angle and bar stock Most of the parts we repair and make, such as shafts, pivots, housings and plates, are steel. The grade makes a big difference in how the part cuts and how it performs. Here is how to pick one and what to tell us. ## At a glance - We machine steels and steel alloys at our Reno shop - Mild steel, 1045, 4130, 4140 and A572 plate - Choose by load, wear, hardening and welding - Shafts, pins, plates and housings - Mill certificates come from the steel supplier I have used Wolf Machine several times over the past few years for fabricating and repair of parts on my ultralight aircraft. [...] These guys are great to deal with. I wouldn't take my projects anywhere else. James B. ยท Google review, September 2023 [Leave us a Google review](https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=ChIJVWVOfCI_mYARibcFMPsDEKc) ## How the common grades differ The numbering system comes from the SAE and AISI grade lists. The grades below are general education, not the shop's stock. Carbon content and alloys set strength and how hard the steel can be made. | Grade | What it is | Typical use | |---|---|---| | 1018 and mild steel | Low carbon, easy to cut and weld | Brackets, spacers, general parts | | 1045 | Medium carbon, stronger, can be hardened | Shafts, pins, gears | | 4130 | Chromoly, strong and weldable | Plates, tubing, frames | | 4140 | Chromoly, tough, often supplied pre-hardened | Shafts, gears, heavy-duty pins | | A572 Grade 50 | Structural plate steel, weldable | Plates, frames, brackets | ## Choosing a grade for a shaft or a bracket A shaft turns, carries torque and wears at the bearing and seal areas, so it wants an alloy such as 4140 or a medium-carbon steel like 1045. A bracket mostly needs to be stiff and easy to weld, so mild steel or A572 plate does the job. Some of the requests we see are for a custom shaft in ASTM A572 Grade 50 or a 4130 plate that has to be ground flat. Both are typical of how a drawing names the metal. If you are matching an existing part, the worn original tells a lot, and a spark test or hardness check helps confirm it. ## Certs, welding and what to send If you need a mill certificate for the steel, that comes from the mill or the steel supplier, so mention the requirement when you ask for the quote. Steels weld differently depending on carbon and alloy. Higher carbon steels need preheat, covered in the glossary on [preheat and interpass temperature](https://wolfmachinenv.com/glossary/preheat-and-interpass/). For hardness callouts see [Rockwell hardness](https://wolfmachinenv.com/glossary/rockwell-hardness/). Send the drawing or sample, the grade, the quantity and what the part does, through the quote request or by calling [(775) 359-5570](tel:(775)%20359-5570). For shaft work see [shafts, threads and keyways](https://wolfmachinenv.com/services/shafts-threads-and-keyways/). ### Sources - [AISI/SAE steel grades (overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAE_steel_grades) (2026-10-18) ### Steel parts we machine - Custom shafts and pivot pins - Plates ground flat or drilled - Housings and carriers - Gear blanks, hubs and spacers - Welded fabrications ### How to send us the job Drawings, CAD files, sketches and photos all help. Put a ruler or tape in your photos, show the worn or broken area up close, and note any part number stamped on it. [Request a quote](#quote) [What to put on a drawing](https://wolfmachinenv.com/guides/what-to-put-on-a-drawing/) ### Talk to the shop [(775) 359-5570](tel:(775)%20359-5570) | Monday to Friday | 7:00 am - 3:30 pm | |---|---| | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Request a quote](#quote) ### Related - [Shafts, threads and keyways](https://wolfmachinenv.com/services/shafts-threads-and-keyways/) - [Tool steels](https://wolfmachinenv.com/materials/tool-steels/) - [Stainless steel](https://wolfmachinenv.com/materials/stainless-steel/) - [Custom machining](https://wolfmachinenv.com/services/custom-machining/) - [Preheat and interpass temperature](https://wolfmachinenv.com/glossary/preheat-and-interpass/) ### Terms on this page [Preheat and interpass temperature](https://wolfmachinenv.com/glossary/preheat-and-interpass/) [Rockwell hardness](https://wolfmachinenv.com/glossary/rockwell-hardness/) [The full glossary](https://wolfmachinenv.com/glossary/) ## Other materials [Titanium](https://wolfmachinenv.com/materials/titanium/) [Tool steels](https://wolfmachinenv.com/materials/tool-steels/) [Aluminum](https://wolfmachinenv.com/materials/aluminum/) [Brass](https://wolfmachinenv.com/materials/brass/) [Bronze](https://wolfmachinenv.com/materials/bronze/) [Copper](https://wolfmachinenv.com/materials/copper/) [Plastics](https://wolfmachinenv.com/materials/plastics/) [Stainless steel](https://wolfmachinenv.com/materials/stainless-steel/) ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [(775) 359-5570](tel:(775)%20359-5570), Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. ### Do I need to know the steel grade? No. If you have a drawing we use its grade. If you have only a part, tell us what it does and we can recommend a suitable steel. ### What is the difference between 4130 and 4140? Both are chromoly steels. 4140 has more carbon and is generally stronger, while 4130 is easier to weld. [Photo: Stock photo: a lathe turning a bar, hot chips flying] ## Request a quote Tell us what you need, attach a drawing or photos of the part, and we will get back to you during shop hours. Free consultations; prompt estimates. [Call (775) 359-5570](tel:(775)%20359-5570) - From your specifications, drawings or samples. We can also assist you in designing your product or part. - Free consultations and prompt estimates - Stands behind the work: Our rates are very competitive and our quality is second-to-none. Wolf Machine stands behind the work we perform. - Company accounts: all major credit cards, or we can open an account for your company Shop hours Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. Send your request any time and we will get back to you during shop hours. Stock photo: a lathe turning a bar, hot chips flying