Hillbillysmith Posted July 21, 2006 Share Posted July 21, 2006 I am making a belt and am trying to make the buckle out of some stainless bar that I have, but not exactly sure how to go about making it. I tried, but for some reason, the stainless started splitting on me. I haven't the slightest clue as to what type of stainless it is, but I know it's some very good quality stuff ( I know this because I know where it came from, and to that I plede the fifth. ). But anyway, I was working the stainless at a bright orange heat that started to hurt looking at it. Any help, advice, etc. will be greatly appreciated, ( especially usefull help LOL ). P.S. I'm making the buckle out of stainless cause I'm allergic to the nickel plating they put on buckles and bare mild steel rusts and also makes me break-out in hives as well. Thanks for any and all help. Hillbilly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woody Posted July 22, 2006 Share Posted July 22, 2006 if the stainless steel is splitting on you it is an indication that you are working it too cold. Try working it from a yellow heat and stop at an orange color. Woody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbillysmith Posted July 31, 2006 Author Share Posted July 31, 2006 Thanks for the advise Woody, I had to have been working it too cold. I'll have to try when I get another Oxy tank, right now I'm plumb out. Any/all other tips/suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Woody, Would that heat also be right for simply bending stainless? I want to make a new bbq cooking grid out of stainless with a 1/2" round frame and I want nice small radiused corners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woody Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Dodge: I have made one set of bbq tools out of 3/8 hex stainless, I twisted it at a yellow heat and it worked fine. I think the stainless I used was 304. Woody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Gold Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Hillbilly, another oxygen tank? If you are heating with a torch, you may not be getting a through heat -- stainless is notorious for being a very, very poor conductor of heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbillysmith Posted August 2, 2006 Author Share Posted August 2, 2006 T-G, I did not know about stainless not taking a through heat. That could be my problem in a nut shell right there. I'm pretty sure that I am getting it to the proper temp, but that could be it. I guess that I'll need to get some charcoal and fire my billy-rigged forge and see if she does the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolano Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 Indeed. Stainless is so bad a conductor, that unless your piece is extremely short "(less then 6" or so) you dont really need tongs. sometimes, you will find the outside getting hot, but on the inside it is not hot enough. If you are using a torch, you may be heating it too fast, so the inside is still cooler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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