which grade stainless steel?

[firebird]

Hi

I need to source some stainless steel to make a bridge for the firebox on my portable engine build. 1/8 or 3/16 flat plate. I know 303 is free machining and 304 is difficult. I have found some 316, does this grade machine ok?

Cheers

Rich

 

[bob ward]

My only experience with stainless (apart from the shafts out of dead printers which turn beautifully) is with 1.5" 316 round. Its tough, but it turned threaded and parted well for me with carbide, and drilled and tapped OK with HSS.

 

[Tin Falcon]

http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-stainless-steel-sheets/=hakrm4

Tin

 

[Darren English]

304 is quite good to machine and is similar to 303. 316 is tougher than both 303 and 304 but can give a better surface finish.

With regards to properties I'm not sure which will be best for your application but would think they would all do the job well.

 

[Tin Falcon]

I posted a little pdf book here :
http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/index.php?topic=15171.0
tin

 

[firebird]

Hi

Thanks Bob, Tin and Darren, thats very helpful. I have sourced a bit of 304 so will give that a go.

Cheers

Rich