How To Work With Stainless Steel Sheet

For thin sheet materials up to about 18 gauge in thickness the lower the gauge the thicker the metal the best ordinary shop tool is electric shears.

How to work with stainless steel sheet. Heat based hardening will not work with these types of steel. These have strong jaws that nibble through the metal cutting out a 1 4 inch wide strip and leaving a very clean edge. Drilling stainless steel stainless steel will work harden fairly quickly when heated and one sure way to increase heat is to drill fast. Plasma cutters can carve out exact cuts with ease.

Get free shipping on qualified stainless steel sheet metal or buy online pick up in store today in the hardware department. The corrosion resistance of the stainless steel makes the metal easier to maintain than other decorative metal wall coverings like copper mild steel and zinc. Once the stainless steel is work hardened it will become very. When stainless steel work hardens it becomes very hard and extremely difficult to drill.

However they offer excellent corrosion resistance and creep resistance while remaining great for welding. Here is the right way to drill stainless steel. Stainless is actually a relatively soft metal at least in its initial state. 430 stainless steel sheet 4 finish has a pvc film on one side to help protect against scratching during fabrication and installation.

430 stainless steel sheet 4 finish is the brushed finish commonly seen on kitchen appliances and backsplashes. Stainless steel sheets make a durable wall covering for areas that generate a lot of moisture such as kitchens and bathrooms. Stainless steel is not the hardest of metals in its natural form however as pointed out by chip lawson in his piece know how. Our 430 stainless steel sheet metal meets the criteria for both the 3 and 4 finish.

Don t use a different kind of saw blade since it might not be strong enough to cut through stainless steel. What stainless tends to do is work harden fairly quickly when heated and drilling at high speed creates a lot of heat. The best tool for cutting stainless steel will vary depending on the material you re cutting. Power shears for thicker sheets.

To cut a stainless steel sheet you ll need a circular saw with a diamond saw blade. This tool is ideal for cutting very thick stainless steel sheets bars as well as solid tubes. Popular grades of austenitic stainless steel include 303 304 316 310 and 321 grades.