Best way to cut 304/316 stainless?

[Willie71]

I have some 304 and 316 stainless in 12” squares. It’s about 1/4” thick. I want to make a stainless Damascus for cladding. What is the best way to cut this stuff? I’m worried about burning out bandsaw blades, so is an abrasive disk the way to go?

Warren

 

[Natlek]

I use cutting disk for inox...they cut fast and they last long.

 

[Nick Dunham]

The last place I worked was a stainless shop that cut a lot of 304, and used the bandsaw for pipe and tube. As always, conservative blade speeds and aggressive feeds, and coolant helps.

Another place cut a lot of sheet with cutoff wheels, but not usually more than 7ga (3/16").

Of course, plasma is an option, if you clean it up afterward.

The nicest option is if you find a local shop with a CNC cutting table that can slip a few cuts in for a modest price.

 

[Willie71]

The last place I worked was a stainless shop that cut a lot of 304, and used the bandsaw for pipe and tube. As always, conservative blade speeds and aggressive feeds, and coolant helps.

Another place cut a lot of sheet with cutoff wheels, but not usually more than 7ga (3/16").

Of course, plasma is an option, if you clean it up afterward.

The nicest option is if you find a local shop with a CNC cutting table that can slip a few cuts in for a modest price.

So, if I’m using a proper feed and coolant, a bimetallic bandsaw blade might survive?

 

[Nick Dunham]

So, if I’m using a proper feed and coolant, a bimetallic bandsaw blade might survive?

Just to clarify - is it a typical hand-feed vertical bandsaw, or is it a power feed?

 

[Willie71]

I would have to feed by hand.

 

[Rhinoknives1]

I use a chuck of jewelers wax on my metal cutting bandsaw. Wax it up! Cut some, repeat. It helps without having Coolant feed.. Any wax will work.

 

[tkroenlein]

Quality bimetal blades work great. Flood with coolant if possible. You want to be fairly aggressive with your "feed." Sometimes coarser teeth work better. We use 5-8 TPI on our horizontals and 10-14 TPI on most of our hand feed stuff.

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

304 isn't too bad and 316 isn't that much worse. It is gummy work hardening stainless steel. It isn't the easiest material to work with but it's not too bad.

 

[Willie71]

I’ll give it a try. I’m a bit nervous, but I hate using abrasive disks if I don’t have to. Thanks everyone for the suggestions,

 

[kuraki]

I would saw it. It shears nice if you know someone with an iron worker. Laser is best though

 

[Storm W]

Just use a cutting torch.

 

[Natlek]

Cannot be cut , so give it to me

 

[Willie71]

I probably need to invest a plasma cutter. Cutting things out is one of the bottlenecks in my process.

 

[knifelover 578]

I have some 304 and 316 stainless in 12” squares. It’s about 1/4” thick. I want to make a stainless Damascus for cladding. What is the best way to cut this stuff? I’m worried about burning out bandsaw blades, so is an abrasive disk the way to go?

Warren

fast way: angle grinder;
slow but precise: belt sander. if you are just putting the belly on the blank, this is two birds with one stone.

 

[Rhinoknives1]

I have some 304 and 316 stainless in 12” squares. It’s about 1/4” thick. I want to make a stainless Damascus for cladding. What is the best way to cut this stuff? I’m worried about burning out bandsaw blades, so is an abrasive disk the way to go?

Warren

Warren, I prefer the Lennox Bi Metal Blades 14 TPI . They cost a bit more, but last a lot longer..

 

[Willie71]

Warren, I prefer the Lennox Bi Metal Blades 14 TPI . They cost a bit more, but last a lot longer..

that’s what I use.