need advice

[chipinnio]

ok i hope someone can help
im (a student.. sigh) desgining a drinking fountain
metal work isnt my strong point so i need some guidance

the piece i am making is to run the water down tho the drain
i am hoping to use stainless steel and this to be made in one piece through panel beating process...
is it possible to make in one piece?
how thick material could i use?
oh and the welders question.. what is the best way to attach this pece to the pipe running through it without showing off the seems.
how neat can the seems get?

as ya can see i know f**k all.. any help, advice and alternative methods welcomed..

(if ya cant understand the pic its kinda like a massive ladle)

 

[astro_al]

A little help:

1. If you don't know much about metalworking, why do you dictate that it must be made 'through the panel beating process'?
2. Yes it can be made in one piece. It can also be made in several pieces so that you'd never know it wasn't one piece.
3. You could use any material thickness you like.
4. The seams can be seamless. Like it is made from the same piece.

Al.

 

[chipinnio]

because

... its a guide line that i have to follow...
thanks for clearing that up joe

 

[chap]

So if you research joining processes: welding, brazing, bonding. Draw up a matrix so that you can compare them; you can wieght the important aspects to analise the information properly.

Post up if you need more pointers, and let us know what you come up with