Pistolero
Well-Known Member
Keith and others with experience....
I am considering using 304 SS for a turned part. Need to thread one end, too. 5/8" stock. I
can buy the part, too, just wondering how much of a PITA I am biting off to make it?
I am aware of the extreme cold work hardening of this alloy, did a lot of analytical (FEA) work
on parts made of this, so very familiar with the characteristics but have not machined anything
very much of it on my own machines.
One real PITA was drilling a .020 304 firewall....I really screwed up and used a slightly dull
drill ..... spun, work hardened and that was the end of that drill and a new, sharp one, too.
Finally managed to worry it through with a carbide pin router in dremel....but what a great
example of what it can do with cold work! Boy does it harden! I have drilled a couple of holes
since in parts, with a sharp HSS drill and good pressure, no real problems.
Just figuring on lathe work on this particular part. Maybe just do it to learn. Any commentary
is welcomed.
Bill
I am considering using 304 SS for a turned part. Need to thread one end, too. 5/8" stock. I
can buy the part, too, just wondering how much of a PITA I am biting off to make it?
I am aware of the extreme cold work hardening of this alloy, did a lot of analytical (FEA) work
on parts made of this, so very familiar with the characteristics but have not machined anything
very much of it on my own machines.
One real PITA was drilling a .020 304 firewall....I really screwed up and used a slightly dull
drill ..... spun, work hardened and that was the end of that drill and a new, sharp one, too.
Finally managed to worry it through with a carbide pin router in dremel....but what a great
example of what it can do with cold work! Boy does it harden! I have drilled a couple of holes
since in parts, with a sharp HSS drill and good pressure, no real problems.
Just figuring on lathe work on this particular part. Maybe just do it to learn. Any commentary
is welcomed.
Bill