DKForge Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I have a potential client that is looking for a fireplace tool set with a "brushed stainless" finish. In order to keep the cost down I was thinking of making it in mild steel but wondered if anyone has a method for creating the brushed stainless finish. Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakedanvil - Grant Sarver Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 My wife wants a gold wedding ring with a diamond in it. You think she'll notice if it's brass with a rhinestone? I don't want to spend the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWCarlson Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 My wife wants a gold wedding ring with a diamond in it. You think she'll notice if it's brass with a rhinestone? I don't want to spend the money. That all hinges on if your wife is blind or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainely,Bob Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 Far as I know the only way to get a brushed stainless finish is to make it out of stainless and then take a brush to it. As they say on TV,"I`m detecting a pattern here". :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakedanvil - Grant Sarver Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 Riddle: What looks like stainless steel, resists stain like stainless steel and quacks like a duck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeddly Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I'm gonna take a stab at this one. Tell me if I get it, okay? Uh, spring fuller? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JNewman Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I guess a stainless steel duck call is just too obvious. While I agree that making the fireplace set out of stainless is probably the way to go, one of my bigger customers extrudes aluminum, brushes it and then anodizes it to look like stainless. Extruding aluminum is MUCH easier than rolling stainless into the various shapes they make. I bet many of the people on this board have these extrusions in their houses and don't realize that they are not stainless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tzonoqua Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 If the customer wants stainless, give them stainless, they are paying so they should get what the want. Happy hammering! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dablacksmith Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 is he looking for stainless or semi shiny ? you might try a few different finishes on a piece of mild and see if one of um suits ... i dont personally like brushed stainless but fireplace tools its probably for a "look" might not matter if its actually stainless ... good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainely,Bob Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 John, If someone on these boards can`t tell the difference between aluminum and stainless when they pick it up then I`d say they were on the wrong boards. Pretty large difference in weight for the same cross section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DKForge Posted January 9, 2010 Author Share Posted January 9, 2010 The client is looking for a brushed stainless look on a unique/modern/contemporary design. They have not required it to be stainless and have also stated they are open to suggestions to keep the vision affordable. I know the next question is going to be "what is affordable". To some that is $50.00 and to others it is $5000. I am just looking for ideas that members might have on different ways to tackle this project. I am also keeping in mind that if the set is actually used what maintenance will be required to retain the finish they are looking for. Thanks for all of the comments so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larzz Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 While you might be able to get the look of "brushed stainless" using mild steel, I think use in a fire place might take what ever finish you use off rapidly. Sounds like it would be better to use stainless for a long term look. The proper answer to the riddle is a Chrome plated rubber duck. Squeeze it hard and it goes "Quack, Quack". :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cross Pein Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Riddle: What looks like stainless steel, resists stain like stainless steel and quacks like a duck? This might! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JNewman Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 John, If someone on these boards can`t tell the difference between aluminum and stainless when they pick it up then I`d say they were on the wrong boards. Pretty large difference in weight for the same cross section. You are assuming it is not part of a larger product that a range of them are commonly called "Stainless" and that has stainless steel as part of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Who says you have to buy new stainless? Look around for a scrap/salvage yard, fab shop, or remnant reseller for some suitible pieces. Back in Sacramento CA there was a business called Blue Collar Supply that sold metal remnants from local shops. More than scrap price, but way less than new. I used them a lot for small chunks of aluminum, and brass. Who uses stainless? Restaurants, hospitals,and the people who make the items for them. Here in Vegas there are a number of restaurant supply business that sell used equipment, they may have unsellable pieces that would render the parts. I have even seen some items at second hand stores that were worth more in material than what they were asking. Now a different way to do this with mild steel would be to sand it to get the brushed look-as a lot of "brushed" metal is actually sanded. Then do a gun type hot blue on it. The item will be rust resistant, yet have a brushed finish. That is if they will go for the black look. Otherwise I feel that you would have to do some sort of rust resistant/proof plating that you can apply the brushed look to. Mild steel just won't stay shiny in the long run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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