Wilkinson 5+1. Block steel???

[rolloman]

I keep reading that the block is steel. I got one. If it is steel is it stainless because a magnet will not stick?

 

[Cagey]

They're die-cast. Feels too heavy to be aluminum, so it's probably zinc. Those are the two metals that are usually used in that process.

 

[rolloman]

Thanks. Yep it is heavy and got to thinkin if it was stainless they would probably advertise it as such. I agree. Didn't think about  it being zinc.

 

[Cagey]

Plus, if it was stainless, it would cost a mint because the stuff isn't easy to machine.

 

[Tony Raven]

http://www.wdmusic.com/wilkinson_5_1_hole_tremolo_steel_block_chrome.html

 

[Dan025]

i work in a foundry in the machine shop department and i can tell you that sometimes cast stainless is no trouble at all to machine, ive had the same drill bit make a few thousands of holes over 2 inches deep before being changed. while mild steel can be easier on tools it can also produce a poor finish. if the customer doesn't like the results visually there are cases where we substitute mild steel with stainless but the customer often still advertises it as mild steel.

to find out what it is you can spark test it by taking a sanding disk to it in a discreet area. many non ferrous metals don't produce a spark but magnesium and titanium are flamable and will make a bright white spark when you grind them though mag can also burn with a green flame so it may be a green spark as well. a zinc block may not spark but if it has some magnesium in it you may get a green or white spark... carbon sparks red and nickel sparks orange. an stainless block will generally spark orange but depending on the alloy the sparks can vary from sparse and a very deep orange/red to dense and very bright.

 

[rolloman]

Thanks that's some good info. I ended up just hand making my own from 1018 steel.

 

[Cagey]

So... did it pay off? I mean, can you hear a real difference? Did you replace the block after using the stock part, or was that something you did on the going-in side?

 

[rolloman]

Yes it was my first Strat build. I never played the stock block. I never even thought about that. Duhhh. I will do that someday soon and let ya all know.