How To Work With Stainless Steel Sheet

Tin snips for thin stainless steel sheets note.

How to work with stainless steel sheet.

This tool is ideal for cutting very thick stainless steel sheets bars as well as solid tubes. Don t use a different kind of saw blade since it might not be strong enough to cut through stainless steel. To cut a stainless steel sheet you ll need a circular saw with a diamond saw blade. 430 stainless steel sheet 4 finish is the brushed finish commonly seen on kitchen appliances and backsplashes.

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. Stainless is actually a relatively soft metal at least in its initial state. These have strong jaws that nibble through the metal cutting out a 1 4 inch wide strip and leaving a very clean edge.

Stainless steel is not the hardest of metals in its natural form however as pointed out by chip lawson in his piece know how. Once the stainless steel is work hardened it will become very. 430 stainless steel sheet 4 finish has a pvc film on one side to help protect against scratching during fabrication and installation. Stainless steel sheets make a durable wall covering for areas that generate a lot of moisture such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Here is the right way to drill stainless steel. Heat based hardening will not work with these types of steel. What stainless tends to do is work harden fairly quickly when heated and drilling at high speed creates a lot of heat. Once your circular saw is set up clamp the stainless steel sheet to a work table so it s secure.

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. Power shears for thicker sheets. However they offer excellent corrosion resistance and creep resistance while remaining great for welding. Our 430 stainless steel sheet metal meets the criteria for both the 3 and 4 finish.

If you don t already have one a diy dust collector might also work well for this project. When stainless steel work hardens it becomes very hard and extremely difficult to drill. The best tool for cutting stainless steel will vary depending on the material you re cutting.