what flavour of stainless..?

[dan.taylor.1]

Hi folks,

I'm enquiring as to what flavour of stainless would be best for some intricate ornate metalwork, candle holders and metal flowers etc, needs to be available in 4/6mm round and 1.5mm ish sheet.

I'm wanting stainless as it's for some exterior versions of stuff I already make. A mate uses 401? for some stuff he does which is similar to what I do, is this suitable?

Also any suppliers of brass/copper sheet in like 1.5mm ish that isn't eBay and therefore not horrifically expensive?!

Cheers, Dan

 

[ronan]

304 should do you, or 316 if you really want to get a good polish.

 

[scott0031]

The most commonly available rounds are 303, 304 and 316.

303 general purpose stainless, not recommended for welding but it will weld ok for what you want which is cosmetic and no strength issues. It will rust left exposed to the elements, but this grade is the easiest to work.

304 General purpose again. Recommended for welding more resistant to corrosion but again it will pick up rust spots if left in the elements for extended time, but is more resistant than 303. Harder to work than 303 (A few years outside expect to see some rust spots)

316 Normally only used when necessary for more or less total corrosion resistance so will resit picking up rust for very long periods of time in the elements (measured in several years) recommended for welding. This is the toughest of the 3 materials to work and can cause outburst of bad language as can 304 from people with little stainless experience (more machining than forming).

I have polished all and they all polish fine form my experience. They should be readily available in the sizes you want.

I think the 401 you mention is sheet. I don't deal with sheet so best advised by someone else on that one

Cheap and brass do not go together that well. I have had a few brass jobs in lately and there was not a terrific amount of price difference between ebay and direct suppliers The odd small bit here and there you will still get stuffed for price wise where ever you go.

Try your local Smiths metal centre and talk to them nicely they cut brass to size for customers and will probably have an offcuts somewhere.


Kind regards,


Scott

 

[dan.taylor.1]

Cheers guys.

Scott - Machinability is not an issue as I haven't a lathe or a mill, it's literally just got to grind to shape and weld (got to look at ss wire too yet!).

As for brass, yeah I gathered its not cheap, just some of the eBay prices were way off, one wanted twice as much for half the amount as the very next ad..!

Daft thing is, I've loads of bits of brass in a box just no sheet which is what I actually need atm!

Dan

 

[nickk]

if your forging [especially fine tapers in round ] then 303 will split along its length,304 is better.

 

[Hitch]

I'd go with 304 personally, also readily available.
316 may be a bit better, but more expensive.

Give the 304 a clean every so often and it will be fine.