S/Seel and the minilathe

[m_c]

You'll still get galvanic corrosion with stainless in aluminium. It's just the stainless won't corrode, and the aluminium will. The same can be said for common steels, it's just the steel will also oxidise due to moisture, as well as the aluminium due to galvanic corrosion.

303 is the easiest common grade to machine, however you still need to be able to take reasonable cuts. The moment you stop cutting and start rubbing, you risk work hardening. You really need to be able to get the required dimension first time, as trying to take a skim to get on diameter is a recipe for problems.

[magicniner]

You'll still get galvanic corrosion with stainless in aluminium..

Only if it's a submerged clock or it's used in a very humid environment without oil.
I have Aluminium parts with Stainless pivot pins on guns I built 10 years ago and more with no issues ;-)

[m_c]

Only if it's a submerged clock or it's used in a very humid environment without oil.
I have Aluminium parts with Stainless pivot pins on guns I built 10 years ago and more with no issues ;-)

That is very true, however corrosion was the only reason for not using a mild steel, and I was highlighting that there is more to material selection than obvious corrosion.


As for answering the OP's material selection question, it all depends on speed.
I'm guessing a clock spring winder isn't going to be running that fast, or see that much use, so I'd just use whatever I had lying around.