And we learn even more as we do more…
After my previous post, it became clear that more people had successfully cut stainless steel than we had known about. Here is an update to the restrictions based on what (we think) we have figured out.
Cold Saw: Stainless Steel should not be cut on the Cold Saw at all. While it is possible in theory, it requires about double the tooth count of the blades we currently mount. Cold Saw blades are very expensive and we don’t feel it is necessary to keep a blade for such a rare application given that other alternatives are available. If you feel you really need to cut a large amount of Stainless Steel on the Cold Saw, talk to me.
Band Saws (horizontal and vertical): For Stainless, the specific alloy matters. Generally we don’t bother to distinguish between alloys of aluminum and brass, and only distinguish between alloys of steel broadly, simply calling them “mild”, “medium”, “cast iron”, etc. But the differences between common stainless alloys are more significant. The most common stainless alloys are 303, 304, and 316. It appears that our bandsaws will cut 303/304 acceptably but utterly failed to cut 316, stripping the teeth off a blade rapidly. Thus 303/304 are permitted but 316 is not on these machines.
What about other alloys? We don’t know for certain about them; talk to us before attempting to cut them on these saws. It seems that other 30x alloys (e.g., 301, 302) are likely OK, but nothing else.
What if you don’t know exactly which alloy you have? If you got the stainless steel from the drop areas at Metals4U, it’s most likely 304. That is by far the most commonly used alloy of stainless. But otherwise, you should not risk cutting them on the bandsaws.
(Note that we are going to upgrade our future blades for the horizontal bandsaw a notch. But judging from the specs I can see, even the upgraded blade is unlikely to handle 316 well.)
Evolution Chop Saw: We will get a blade specifically for stainless steel cutting when we make this tool available soon. However, their blade specifically states that it is for 30x stainless alloys only. Thus 316 and unknown stainless alloys will be off limits on this machine as well.
That leaves two (similar) options for cutting 316 and unknown stainless types: angle grinder cutoff wheels and the Dewalt abrasive chop saw. We have seen them cut 316 without any issue.
(I don’t really like making the Dewalt abrasive chop saw generally available, and it’s use is at-your-own-risk. I would love it if someone wanted to look at its vise mechanism and make a safer and more secure replacement. Talk to me if you want to tackle this.)
Summary:
- Cold Saw: No stainless steel of any type.
- Bandsaws and Evolution Chop Saw (when available): Only 303/304 stainless steel. No 316 stainless steel, no unknown stainless steels.
- Abrasive Chop Saw and Angle Grinder Discs: You’re only options for cutting 316 stainless steel.
Note that 316 machines readily with carbide cutting tools, appropriate speeds and feed rates, and sufficient cutting fluids. Getting clean cut surfaces with 316 is thus probably a two step process: cut it roughly with the abrasive cutters, then machine a clean surface on the lathe or mills.