Hi Chris and all,

Its getting far wider; as too the variety of merchandise that is made from
carbide now; from jewelry to fishing sinkers and "beyond".

For "one" (USA ?) basic carbide's grade chart guide; as too what they mean,
go by industry code and the basic carbide grade:

http://www.basiccarbide.com/gchart.htm

Hmmm, those ebay Mitsubishi carbide rods sold by "machprodinc" are a C4; (or
BC-3) which according to the chart
above have the BEST wear resistance of all the grades.  It has no cutting
"shock" resistance, but we don't care
about that for seismo pivot bearings.  They have a "ultra-fine grain"
therein, but nothing refers to the ground "finish" itself.
The photo rods "look" to be fine ground to me, but...I suppose it really
depends on the eye of the beholder.  It would then "seem"
like these rods would easily endure or outlast the (whatever) ball bearings
used on a seismo pivot.

As far as "polish" on carbide, some sites sell 1-3 foot "polished"
carbide...whatever that really is; which could range from
some grinding to a partial polish to whatever.  I haven't noted any web
site, with any smaller length reasonable mirror finish rods that sells them.
 Dale Hardys suggested VCR VHS capstan, rod salvage still looks inviting.

Mitsubishi has their own in-house grade, and they call them grade MF10.
The C4 grade is a USA specific grade.
All this means is one needs some reference to their countries grades and
some other countries grade direct
comparison specifics.

http://blank.mitsubishicarbide.com/mmc/en/product/material/index.htm

Centennial Carbide wrote in a reply email that their carbide is a "class2/10
carbide with a 10% cobalt binder", and
is chinese made....with no China company name mentioned.  Which of course
(?) leaves it all as undefined as to wear
resistance....but it would seem to be less than Mitsubishi mentioned
above....but far better than any typical variety of steel
rods.   Again; their ultra-micrograin rods are just a grain size, not the
finish itself.  I "think" they buy from Pacificarbide. Inc.,
which is a California USA agent for a China company...but its a guess.  On
the other hand alot of chinese products
have improved their quality over time.

http://www.centennialcarbide.com

Take care, Meredith
Hi Chris and all,

Its getting far wider; as too the variety of merchandise that is made from carbide now; from jewelry to fishing sinkers and "beyond".

For "one" (USA ?) basic carbide's grade chart guide; as too what they mean, go by industry code and the basic carbide grade: 







http://www.basiccarbide.com/gchart.htm

Hmmm, those ebay Mitsubishi carbide rods sold by "machprodinc" are a C4; (or BC-3) which according to the chart






above have the BEST wear resistance of all the grades.  It has no cutting "shock" resistance, but we don't care
about that for seismo pivot bearings.  They have a "ultra-fine grain" therein, but nothing refers to the ground "finish" itself.






The photo rods "look" to be fine ground to me, but...I suppose it really depends on the eye of the beholder.  It would then "seem"
like these rods would easily endure or outlast the (whatever) ball bearings used on a seismo pivot.  






As far as "polish" on carbide, some sites sell 1-3 foot "polished" carbide...whatever that really is; which could range from
some grinding to a partial polish to whatever.  I haven't noted any web site, with any smaller length reasonable mirror finish




rods that sells them.  Dale Hardys suggested VCR VHS capstan, rod salvage still looks inviting. 
 
Mitsubishi has their own in-house grade, and they call them grade MF10.   The C4 grade is a USA specific grade.





All this means is one needs some reference to their countries grades and some other countries grade direct 
comparison specifics. 

http://blank.mitsubishicarbide.com/mmc/en/product/material/index.htm







Centennial Carbide wrote in a reply email that their carbide is a "class2/10 carbide with a 10% cobalt binder", and
is chinese made....with no China company name mentioned.  Which of course (?) leaves it all as undefined as to wear


resistance....but it would seem to be less than Mitsubishi mentioned above....but far better than any typical variety of steel
rods.   Again; their ultra-micrograin rods are just a grain size, not the finish itself.  I "think" they buy from Pacificarbide. Inc.,


which is a California USA agent for a China company...but its a guess.  On the other hand alot of chinese products
have improved their quality over time.

http://www.centennialcarbide.com



Take care, Meredith