10 tips on how to cut stainless steel according to the ssina stainless steel isn t a single alloy but rather the name applies to a group of iron bases alloys containing at least 10 5 chromium other added elements and the chromium increase corrosion resistance improve heat resistance enhance mechanical properties and improve fabricating characteristics.
Cutting stainless steel sheet by hand.
Stainless steel is an attractive material for metal sculpture because of its superior corrosion resistance flexibility and strength.
Moreover there are several ways of doing that.
Hand held circular saws are one of the best tools for cutting large stainless sheet metal panels.
If you re cutting through thin stainless sheets tin snips are your best option.
The cheapest is an abrasive blade or cutting wheel.
This article is geared towards cutting stainless steel for architectural applications on the job site so we will skip a discussion of shearing laser cutting water jetting cold sawing and flame cutting and focus on cutting sheet structurals and bar less than 1 8 inch thick.
Cut the stainless steel.
Thicker sheets will require power shears a circular saw or an angle grinder.
After doing the first two steps you are ready to cut your stainless steel.
To cut a stainless steel sheet you ll need a circular saw with a diamond saw blade.
Cutting holes in metal sheets is pretty easy.
Once you ve set up your workspace and measured and marked for your cut it s time to select a tool for the job.
Stainless steel is one of the hardest substances on earth.
And for that reason you don t have several ways to cut a hole in it.
But when it comes to cutting a hole in a stainless steel sheet then the real game begins.
Thinner sheets however only require a tin snip.
For stainless tubing a circular saw is a perfect tool to use.
You can create many interesting and durable works of art by cutting forms out of stainless steel sheet or plate but depending on the thickness of the material you are cutting and the complexity of the shape you may need to use some special tools and techniques.
Once your circular saw is set up clamp the stainless steel sheet to a work table so it s secure.