Re: Cutting stainless media

"Scott H" <greybard1@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:IbGdnfsVvLEfzJLVnZ2dnUVZ_s-pnZ2d@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> I've been wanting to make a load of stainless media for a while, and
I've
> got some 1/2" & 3/4" stock coming soon. Right now I'm exploring ways to
cut
> it up. Lloyd suggested a band saw with a good cooling system. The
following
> link shows some 1/2" Rockwell 60 rod a buddy cut with a small handheld
> plasma cutter. Not stainless, just sort of a test. (I had a cutoff piece
> laying around, so what the heck...)
>
> http://pyrobin.com/files/testcutr60-1a.jpg
>
> The cuts are very rough LOL (a little long, too) and the pieces have
been
> slightly deburred with a grinder. The discoloration that extends up the
rod
> is what I'm wondering about. That's from the plasma cutter, not the
grinder.
> I realize this steel is harder than 304 stianless, but I'm sure the 304
will
> be simalarly discolored when cut. Is this a problem, ie: is the plasma
> cutter too hot? Maybe they can be polished?
>
> I'm thinking a band saw would be better, but since I don't have access
to
a
> good one, I'm considering the plasma cutter. I just don't want to spend
> $150+ and realize I f****d it up... :0
>
> -Scott
Rockwell 60 is harder than a whores heart to cut. You'd need carbide
tooling
for a saw or a lathe. If you got that material cheap or free you have some
room to pay someone to cut it with an automatic screw machine. Its a
simple
setup so prolly wouldn't cost an arm and a leg. I don't think you'll have
much luck with an abrasive chop saw either. A cold saw would work but
that's
an expensive tool. You're not going to want to buy one for this job. The
plasma cutter might be your best bet if you can live with the roughess.
Good
luck and let us know what you do.
Tom
>
>