Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

Steel/iron discs, diameters up to 20mm, thickness say 4mm?

0 views
Skip to first unread message

John Nagelson

unread,
Dec 8, 2007, 7:45:19 PM12/8/07
to
Hello, I have just bought a wooden Thai chess (makruk) set, and would
like to weight the pieces somehow.

Does someone know where I might get hold of some steel discs, of
varying diameters up to about 20mm, and thickness maybe 4mm?

Cheers,

John

Colin Wilson

unread,
Dec 8, 2007, 8:56:30 PM12/8/07
to
> Does someone know where I might get hold of some steel discs, of
> varying diameters up to about 20mm, and thickness maybe 4mm?

Might not be quite what you're looking for, but google for "rare earth
magnets" (neodymium) - they come in the sort of dimensions you're
looking for, such as shown here:

http://www.first4magnets.com/circular-disc-magnets-8-c.asp

Richard Perkin

unread,
Dec 8, 2007, 10:17:00 PM12/8/07
to
John Nagelson <johnna...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in
news:638b8112-1783-433e...@r60g2000hsc.googlegroups.co
m:

A local engineering firm may make some up for you from steel bar for
beer/tobacco money. If you don't know of one, ask at a small
independent garage - they will know who undertakes small jobs.

Having said that, someone will come along in a few minutes and tell
us they're a common item :)

Hope this helps

--
Richard Perkin
To email me, change the <AT> in the address below
richard.perkin<AT>myrealbox.com

It's is not, it isn't ain't, and it's it's, not its, if you mean it
is. If you don't, it's its. Then too, it's hers. It isn't her's.
It isn't our's either. It's ours, and likewise yours and theirs.
-- Oxford University Press, Edpress News

Clive George

unread,
Dec 8, 2007, 11:10:31 PM12/8/07
to
"Richard Perkin" <f000n...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9A01216...@130.133.1.4...

> John Nagelson <johnna...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in
> news:638b8112-1783-433e...@r60g2000hsc.googlegroups.co
> m:
>
>> Hello, I have just bought a wooden Thai chess (makruk) set, and
>> would like to weight the pieces somehow.
>>
>> Does someone know where I might get hold of some steel discs, of
>> varying diameters up to about 20mm, and thickness maybe 4mm?
>
> A local engineering firm may make some up for you from steel bar for
> beer/tobacco money. If you don't know of one, ask at a small
> independent garage - they will know who undertakes small jobs.
>
> Having said that, someone will come along in a few minutes and tell
> us they're a common item :)

Well, I can get hold of plated steel discs, 20.3mm diameter, about 1mm
thick, for about 1p each. From the bank :-)

cheers,
clive

Guy Macon

unread,
Dec 9, 2007, 1:51:13 AM12/9/07
to

Richard Perkin wrote:


>
>John Nagelson wrote:
>
>> Hello, I have just bought a wooden Thai chess (makruk) set, and
>> would like to weight the pieces somehow.
>>
>> Does someone know where I might get hold of some steel discs, of
>> varying diameters up to about 20mm, and thickness maybe 4mm?
>
>A local engineering firm may make some up for you from steel bar for
>beer/tobacco money. If you don't know of one, ask at a small
>independent garage - they will know who undertakes small jobs.
>
>Having said that, someone will come along in a few minutes and tell
>us they're a common item :)

There is a better way. Turn the pieces upside down and fill
partially with epoxy (boating or autobody-shop, used for
repairing fiberglass -- a pint or so should be plenty) and
let set. Then make a layer of lead birdshot (available at
any gun shop; lots of shooters reload shotgun shells) and
pour more epoxy on top to hold the shot together. Finish off
with felt.

--
Guy Macon
<http://www.guymacon.com/>

Lobster

unread,
Dec 9, 2007, 4:51:44 AM12/9/07
to

You want some "penny washers" which look like
<http://www.screwfix.com/prods/14327/Bolts/Washers/M10-Steel-Large-Flat-Washers-BZP>
(the above is an example; it doesn't state the outside diameter).
Presumably the hole in the middle is of no concern, and you'd have to
glue several together as they'd only be about 1.5mm thick.

B&Q etc would probably have them; failing that asn engineering supplies
type place.

David

Cicero

unread,
Dec 9, 2007, 5:45:49 AM12/9/07
to

==================================
I don't think you would need 'penny washers' to get a 20mm diameter. An
ordinary M8 (possibly M10) heavy washer is about 20mm diameter. Screwfix
do them:

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/14190/Bolts/Washers/M8-Bright-Steel-Washers-BZP

They're not rare or unusual so any decent hardware store will have them.

Cic.
--
===================================
Using Ubuntu Linux
Windows shown the door
===================================

Ed Sirett

unread,
Dec 9, 2007, 5:49:13 AM12/9/07
to

The knock out tab of electrical back boxes, steel, definitely 20mm and
about 1mm thick.


--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html
Choosing a Boiler FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/BoilerChoice.html

Lobster

unread,
Dec 9, 2007, 6:49:27 AM12/9/07
to
Cicero wrote:
> On Sun, 09 Dec 2007 09:51:44 +0000, Lobster wrote:
>
>> John Nagelson wrote:
>>> Hello, I have just bought a wooden Thai chess (makruk) set, and would
>>> like to weight the pieces somehow.
>>>
>>> Does someone know where I might get hold of some steel discs, of varying
>>> diameters up to about 20mm, and thickness maybe 4mm?
>> You want some "penny washers" which look like
>> <http://www.screwfix.com/prods/14327/Bolts/Washers/M10-Steel-Large-Flat-Washers-BZP>
>> (the above is an example; it doesn't state the outside diameter).
>> Presumably the hole in the middle is of no concern, and you'd have to glue
>> several together as they'd only be about 1.5mm thick.

> I don't think you would need 'penny washers' to get a 20mm diameter. An


> ordinary M8 (possibly M10) heavy washer is about 20mm diameter. Screwfix
> do them:
>
> http://www.screwfix.com/prods/14190/Bolts/Washers/M8-Bright-Steel-Washers-BZP

Sure: however the 'penny' variety have a smaller hole relative to the
outer diameter (ie closer to the solid disc which the OP seeks), so
seemed more appropriate here.

David

The Natural Philosopher

unread,
Dec 9, 2007, 6:49:36 AM12/9/07
to

I missed the thread start, but you can get magnetic disks out of scrap
loudspeakers at your local tip.

neodymium mgantes are available all over the place.

Scrap floppy disk and CDROM drives will net you small ring ferrite
magnets and dish shape magnetic iron type parts.

Cicero

unread,
Dec 9, 2007, 7:08:30 AM12/9/07
to

==================================
Well, the OP didn't actually specify *solid* disks so plain washers would
seem to be a simple solution. The OP also asked for disks in *varying
sizes up to 20mm diameter* so presumably he wants smaller sizes as well.
The smallest penny washers I have (M5 - smallest size offered by Screwfix)
are about 25mm diameter so they might be too big for the OP's requirements.

Steve Firth

unread,
Dec 9, 2007, 8:59:30 AM12/9/07
to
Richard Perkin <f000n...@hotmail.com> wrote:

> John Nagelson <johnna...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in
> news:638b8112-1783-433e...@r60g2000hsc.googlegroups.co
> m:
>
> > Hello, I have just bought a wooden Thai chess (makruk) set, and
> > would like to weight the pieces somehow.
> >
> > Does someone know where I might get hold of some steel discs, of
> > varying diameters up to about 20mm, and thickness maybe 4mm?
>
> A local engineering firm may make some up for you from steel bar for
> beer/tobacco money. If you don't know of one, ask at a small
> independent garage - they will know who undertakes small jobs.

The weights that my wife uses for curtains fit the description in most
respects, except they are lead, not steel. Commonly available from
fabric shops at reasonable prices.

Taylor Kingston

unread,
Dec 9, 2007, 10:03:33 AM12/9/07
to

Rather than using various disks of matching diameters, you might
want to consider drilling a short distance into the base of each
piece, inserting lead weights, sealing them in with glue or wood
putty, and then covering the base with felt, cut to fit the diameter.
Unlike the disks, these weights would be invisible, and the felt will
protect your board, whereas the disks might scratch it.

Dave Baker

unread,
Dec 9, 2007, 10:54:35 AM12/9/07
to

"John Nagelson" <johnna...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:638b8112-1783-433e...@r60g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...

First of all I'd use brass or bronze rather than steel. They both have a
slightly higher density than steel and are a nicer material for such a use.
They won't rust for starters. Lead of course has an even higher density but
not by that much. Any sheet metal shop will stamp you out whatever you need
or part it off from bar stock. Or you could use coins which are basically
bronze, or brass washers which are available for pennies. You could fill the
holes in the middle with lead shot and glue a felt base over them.
--
Dave Baker - Puma Race Engines


nightjar

unread,
Dec 10, 2007, 3:44:26 AM12/10/07
to

"Dave Baker" <Da...@Dave.com> wrote in message
news:fjh345$qcb$1...@news.datemas.de...
> ...Or you could use coins which are basically bronze, ...

For copper coins; only if you use ones that are dated 1992 or earlier. After
that, they are plated steel.

Colin Bignell


enor...@yahoo.com

unread,
Dec 10, 2007, 12:39:36 PM12/10/07
to
On Dec 10, 3:44 am, "nightjar" <cpb@<insert my surname here>.me.uk>
wrote:
> "Dave Baker" <D...@Dave.com> wrote in message

Not in the U.S. The outer metal is Cu-Ni alloy other than pennies (Cu-
Zn) and the dollar coins
(a type of manganese brass):
http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/circulatingCoins/index.cfm?action=CircQuarterDollar


nightjar

unread,
Dec 10, 2007, 1:01:07 PM12/10/07
to

<enor...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:5ccd71f1-eb80-4673...@18g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...

> On Dec 10, 3:44 am, "nightjar" <cpb@<insert my surname here>.me.uk>
> wrote:
>> "Dave Baker" <D...@Dave.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:fjh345$qcb$1...@news.datemas.de...
>>
>> > ...Or you could use coins which are basically bronze, ...
>>
>> For copper coins; only if you use ones that are dated 1992 or earlier.
>> After
>> that, they are plated steel.
>>
>> Colin Bignell
>
> Not in the U.S. The outer metal is Cu-Ni alloy other than pennies (Cu-
> Zn) and the dollar coins

As the two first groups in the list are UK based, I presume the OP is
interested in what is available in the UK :-)

Colin Bignell


enor...@yahoo.com

unread,
Dec 10, 2007, 1:19:32 PM12/10/07
to
On Dec 10, 1:01 pm, "nightjar" <cpb@<insert my surname here>.me.uk>
wrote:
> <enorip...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> Colin Bignell- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Right, but not everyone viewing is British. One source for lead
washers in the UK:

http://www.kellysearch.co.uk/gb-product-102791.html

Owain

unread,
Dec 10, 2007, 3:43:56 PM12/10/07
to
nightjar <cpb@ wrote:
>>Not in the U.S. The outer metal is Cu-Ni alloy other than pennies (Cu-
>>Zn) and the dollar coins
> As the two first groups in the list are UK based, I presume the OP is
> interested in what is available in the UK :-)

But you can buy two American pennies for one British penny at the moment :-)

Owain

jim

unread,
Dec 10, 2007, 4:14:15 PM12/10/07
to
On 9 Dec, 00:45, John Nagelson <johnnagel...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> Hello, I have just bought a wooden Thai chess (makruk) set, and would
> like to weight the pieces somehow.
>
> Does someone know where I might get hold of some steel discs,

1. IMHO steel is not dense enough for chess piece weights. Lead is
far better & easily obtainable from builders & plumbers & roofers
using lead sheet to waterproof roofs.
It is easily cut (for a one-off on small pieces use a wood chisel or
a stanley knife) & can be hammer pounded into lumps to suit whatever
size you want. As another poster suggested rebate the base of the
piece & use araldite to fix then cover with breen baize (felt as in
billiard tables).

2. Am intrigued as to where you managed to purchase a Thai chess set
(assuming it was in the UK). I have only read about Thai chess in
books.

HTH

geoff

unread,
Dec 10, 2007, 5:27:48 PM12/10/07
to
In message <119731987...@iris.uk.clara.net>, Owain
<owain...@stirlingcity.coo.uk> writes

If OPEC stop selling oil in dollars, you'll be able to buy a couple of
states for pennies

--
geoff

J

unread,
May 13, 2008, 8:42:57 AM5/13/08
to
In article <68cfe8d0-ce18-44fe...@q3g2000hsg.googlegroups.com>,

jim <jim_in...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> 2. Am intrigued as to where you managed to purchase a Thai chess set
> (assuming it was in the UK). I have only read about Thai chess in
> books.

Was this ever answered?

--
J

0 new messages