Stainless costs

[brewdexta]

I usually get my steel from K-Steels as they are close by, but their stainless prices aren't on the standard price list, quotation only, so I though I would ask for some guide prices and favourite stockists before I ask for a quote.

I'm making some manhole covers for a foot traffic only patio. I have an underground tank to hold spring water. It will be paved using "Indian tiles" which are basically sandstone flags, max depth is 50mm. I will be setting them in an epoxy resin in the cover, I've done this before with a galv cover over the borehole, that takes vehicle traffic too and after 10 years it hasn't shifted. The cover will be a tray made from stainless sheet, bent up on each side and welded, and a threaded key hole welded into each corner so I can screw a hook in on the rare occasion I need to get into the tank.

The cover will sit in a SS angle frame. 50 x 50 will do as I will select flags <50mm deep, you usually get them ranging from 35 to 50 deep.

I'm not using a standard galv cover this time as the size is not standard, plus I have a decent TIG and I need to use it more

I thought I would explain the use a bit as people are bound to ask, however all I need is typical costs of 50mm SS angle and say 2mm sheet from normal suppliers, not ebay prices

 

[Agroshield]

Just an observation: the most economic route for the sheet might be get it laser cut to a drawing (and maybe bent by the same people). You might also be able to source some 50 x 50 x 2 bent angle in the same way from the same supplier.

 

[hotponyshoes]

Unless you want to end up with the offcuts ebay suppliers for the size you want might actually work out cheaper.

Full sheets are not cheap and don't work out much cheaper buying bigger sizes.

I recently bought some 50x50 3mm 304 Angle, 4m lengths of that were about £90 collected from my nearest supplier

Last 2mm sheet I bought was about 6mths ago and that was about £220 for a 2mx1m

If you are anywhere near Frome, Somerset I've probably got some sheet offcuts that might be big enough

Or, as mentioned, get a quote for laser cutting/folding and order a tray then run the tig up the corners

 

[brewdexta]

Thanks guys. I do have a Gabro, but it may not be man enough for this so getting it cut/bent may be a good option. I did get the address of a decent plasma/laser cutter from a mate who has a small fab workshop a while ago, they probably bend too.

 

[gaz1]

you will be wanting something like this

the keyholes are just for lifting whilst the bars are just there as strengtheners

this is for block paving id advise something similar for foot traffic but still needs to drain out of the manhole cover

 

[brewdexta]

Hi Gaz, as I've stated, I've used 'em before, I just wanted the SS price.

 

[iNf]

May be a bit small for what you want?
https://www.zoro.co.uk/shop/mainten...st-sheet2b-fin-1-4307-316l-1-pce/p/ZT1095415S

 

[brewdexta]

that's quite cheap but not big enough, unless I weld several together

 

[iNf]

unless I weld several together

Wot You can't go spoiling this forum like that
Some bracing if you really must
https://www.zoro.co.uk/shop/mainten...-steelflat-bar-1-4307-304l-1-pce/p/ZT1095410S

 

[Hood]

....

Last 2mm sheet I bought was about 6mths ago and that was about £220 for a 2mx1m
....

Is that incl VAT? If not it sounds quite expensive.
I got 2m x 1m x 4mm 316 a few days ago which was £260

 

[hotponyshoes]

Is that incl VAT? If not it sounds quite expensive.
I got 2m x 1m x 4mm 316 a few days ago which was £260

Yes, including vat.
Not sure if it's a good price at the moment or not? Seems to go up a noticeable amount every time I need some

Although yours sound cheap for 4mm.. maybe I need to ring around a bit more!

 

[Hood]

Tell a lie, it was £265 plus vat.

 

[gaz1]

when i got my 304 2mx1m stainless steel 3mm sheet i only paid 80.00 for it

ive still got a good chunk of it left

this chunk was grooved and folded on a vice on the floor



i would use angle iron for the frame but for the internals id swap to sheet and flat bar

whatever is left can be used on other projects and you will have plenty of sheet left and also angle iron with flat bar as well

 

[s410man]

Crikey i always thought there wasn't a massive price difference between buying mild steel and getting it galvanised and using stainless but it appears there is now!

Did stainless rise sharply during covid and hasn't dropped back yet?

Mild steel obviously doubled and a little bit more but is now back to not far from pre covid prices