304 stainless

[Stickypoint]

I bought some 304 stainless for guards and buttplates. This stuff is extremely difficult to work. It seems to eat up drill bits and makes little crackily noises when you drill it. Does it have to be annealed before working it ??? I normally use 416 stainless and don't have any problems with it.

 

[george tichbourne]

Drill dead slow with heavy oil as a lubricant, I use pipe threading oil..

------------------
george
www.tichbourneknives.com
sales@tichbourneknives.com

 

[rfrink]

Yep! that sounds like 304. That stuff is plain ol' tough to machine. I've seen two seasoned machinist nearly go to blows over a discussion on how to work with it. One guy growds the tool (feeds fast) and the other guy backs the feeds way down.....both guys do nice work!

One thing you can try is to soften it a bit. Try with a scrap first.....to anneal it heat cherry red and quench in water....bamo! its dead soft.

Good luck.

-Rob

<a href="http://www.geocities.com/beaumontmetal/index.html">Beaumont Metal Works</a>

 

[Lynn]

I get lots of 304 as scrap. You can forge this like mild steel. Be sure to leave plenty for grinding if you want a smooth, shiny surface.
If anyone has a secret formula to solder this material to steel I would appriciate a hint.
Thanks, Lynn

 

[C L Wilkins]

Solder as you normally would, just don't get things too hot and use plenty of flux. I have a friend here in Houston that can silver solder 303 or 304 so well to 440C or ATS34 that its almost spooky! I am no where near as "talented" as he is in this area. It is remarkable, no pitting whatsoever. What I am saying is that it can be done, it just takes a little practice.

 

[Stickypoint]

Thanks..
This stuff had me wondering if I was losing it. Now I know that it might not be me.(maybe)