Cutting Stainless Steel sheet

64duc · August 17, 2009, 09:26:25 AM

Do NOT get a cutoff wheel wet. They will disintegrate at 20,000 rpm and hurt you.

Langanobob · August 17, 2009, 01:54:45 PM

Quote from: 64duc on August 17, 2009, 09:26:25 AM
Do NOT get a cutoff wheel wet. They will disintegrate at 20,000 rpm and hurt you.

This is the first time I've heard that. Can you document the source of this info? Not to be construed that I'm promoting any practice that might be unsafe, I'd just like to see some sort of documentation. Coolant is almost universally used for all kinds of grinding operations and I've never heard of any warnings about it weakening wheels. And, not that my Google skills are infallible

but I couldn't find any references to danger involved with wet cutoff wheels.

Not trying to be argumentative, just seeking after the Truth...

aaronb · August 17, 2009, 02:27:55 PM

i vote water jet. i am currently working on a job at work and we are having some parts cut, i took a tour of the shop and was quite impressed, then i got the quote and was even more impressed. cutting 40+ 3" holes in 1/2" manganese bronze and they are doing it for around $250 a pop IIRC.

Langanobob · August 17, 2009, 03:49:42 PM

aaron,

I'd also vote for water jet if he was making a whole series of these things. But I think this is a custom one-of-a-kind job and some of the cutting may even need to be done on site. I think the set up charge for a one-off water jet job might be too pricey, but then maybe not.

I'm lusting over having my own affordable water jet cutter but my investigations on building my own ended up with "Don't even think about it"

rgramjet may be finished by now and I'm curious how he ended up doing it.

aaronb · August 17, 2009, 04:26:52 PM

my 250/pc is for just two pieces (also two larger pieces for $400/pc). i do not think there is that much setup required. i brought a drawing in and while i got the shop tour (30 minutes) their cad guy made a model and set up the tool paths. he had the quote and was ready to produce in a half hour. no set up, just throw the plates onto the table, reference the tip and hit go. at least that is what i was told. the price was based entirely on cut speed required for material/thickness and number of inches of cutting required.

make some phone calls, you may be surprised.

rgramjet · August 17, 2009, 05:07:13 PM

Received the SS last Friday. Backsplash pieces are all cut to height and width. Just need to cut out two outlets, one will be for a range hood and hidden so We'll do that one first! Client is making up his mind about whether he wants an arc or not. Will transition from cabinet height to bartop over about 14", not to extreme.

Will post pics when its done!

Oh, almost forgot. Adhering the SS to an MDF backerboard. The dealer recommended liquid nails, contact cement, double sided tape or velcro. We are going the contact cement route for a very permanent installation.

Langanobob · August 18, 2009, 06:02:07 AM

^

So, how did you end up cutting the thing??

Langanobob · August 18, 2009, 06:05:40 AM

Quotemake some phone calls, you may be surprised.

aaron, I have an old antique truck that was missing the radiator logo and a couple years ago I did go to a local water jet shop and got a reasonable estimate for cutting one out of stainless steel. So, yeah, maybe I was just being negative about my perceived high price of water jet cutting.

64duc · August 18, 2009, 08:59:39 AM

Quote from: Langanobob on August 17, 2009, 01:54:45 PM
This is the first time I've heard that. Can you document the source of this info? Not to be construed that I'm promoting any practice that might be unsafe, I'd just like to see some sort of documentation. Coolant is almost universally used for all kinds of grinding operations and I've never heard of any warnings about it weakening wheels. And, not that my Google skills are infallible but I couldn't find any references to danger involved with wet cutoff wheels.

Not trying to be argumentative, just seeking after the Truth...

That statement applies to the thin cutoff wheels made for small (3 & 4 inch) air die grinders. The packaging label says not to use them if they have ever been wet. It also says max rpm is 15,000. The average speed rating on a small air grinder is 20,000, but I've not seen one disintegrate from speed. I tried it once (wearing a face shield and leather apron) and it shattered within seconds. The larger (16 inch) made for Gas cutoff saws are made for water cooling. Doesn't apply to grinding wheels. Although some are labeled dry only.

Most all of this comes from 30+ years experience as a mechanic in the rental industry. Last 12 with NationsRent and Sunbelt Rentals.

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Cutting Stainless Steel sheet