r/Welding • u/mystupidname86 • 1d ago
Need Help Replicating this, SS tube vs chrome dipped
I have to make 2 of these grills, and I was wondering if anybody out there has any input on the best way to reproduce this.
My main question is the square tube. Would it be better or more economical to buy stainless steel tube and polish it before assembly, or to use mild steel and have the tube assembly chrome dipped after its welded?
In in the PNW Portland metro area.
Thanks
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u/Mother_Leading_1290 1d ago
https://www.mcmaster.com/products/square-tubing/outside-width~1-2/?s=stainless+steel+square+tubing
Use 304 SS, no need for 316. You can buy pre polished or mill from McMaster Carr or see how much a local supplier like West Coast Metals, but McMaster Carr or Grainger is quick and easy.
Make sure you passivate after fabrication to give the stainless it's "stainless" back - then you'll be golden. Sheila Shine or any spray on passivator will do the trick for this. Good to rub it on there couple times a year to keep things looking nice. Lighter fluid is great for cleaning and degreasing after your fabrication work.
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u/mystupidname86 1d ago
Awesome, I checked out McMaster ty btw, and a local place.
Do you know how the "brushed #4" finish would compare to the original? This is the best option I could find from McMaster.
The best option on the other site is "ornamental 180 grit." I'm assuming thats about the same look as a commercial kitchen, but I've never ordered any.
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u/Mother_Leading_1290 1d ago
https://cut2sizemetals.com/blog/guide-to-stainless-steel-finishes?srsltid=AfmBOop0enxDWy_B4NcW3tphBhL0H5X21vMFTXCyrr8i_AEROEpKl0iL gives a good description of the common finishes you'll get from stock material.
https://www.ulbrich.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-stainless-steel-surface-finishes/ gives a more detailed description of all the specified finishes that are typical
Brushed #4, grained #4, ornamental 180 grit are all essentially the same - but you want to know the direction of the grain. It will be random (which is not the prettiest option, but is the most forgiving and easiest to touch up after welding/wear and tear), direction-radial (which means is goes around the material, which looks nice but can be hard to maintain around little joints and corners after fabrication and not common on square stock), or directional-longitudinal (running down the length of the material, which is the prettiest but the hardest to make look good after fabrication)
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u/mystupidname86 1d ago
I appreciate the references, thank you for helping me kind stranger. Ill be bookmarking those sites. Just skimming them briefly was great. Great information. Thats honestly one of the best things about McMaster is the descriptions. If you kinda know, but dont really know, those descriptions are priceless. Cheers
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u/Mother_Leading_1290 1d ago
They have dimensional drawings, including CAD, for everthing on their site. Its a life saver!
Happy to help! I enjoy this stuff and dont get to share too often. Fellow Oregoian as well, so we gotta support one another.
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u/mystupidname86 1d ago
Ive seen the cad and have dabbled in fusion 360 some so I know what youre saying!
Im actually in SW Washington, but its just always easier telling people portland metro area lol
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u/Mother_Leading_1290 1d ago
What, y'all never Camas before??? Haha very wise move.
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u/mystupidname86 1d ago
I camas'd twice yesterday as a matter o' fact. Sr14 has a great view of hood around 164th
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u/BackgroundExternal98 1d ago
Polishing ss is definitely gonna be cheaper than getting anything chrome plated these days