Source for ss plates

[over40pirate]

I am looking for a source for a place that can supply some 316 stainless steel plates, 1/4" thick x 3 1/2" x 6" I need 6 of these for reinforcement between my stanchion bases and deck.

[s/v Thea]

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Doug

[Boracay]

I have been getting brackets made by a local engineering firm from 3mm 316 stainless. They seem plenty strong when welded in place.

They cut them from a large plate using a guillotine.

I supply a template (with holes) and a week later they forget to call me to say it is ready.

If it is a backing plate (under the deck) 3mm may suit.

[ude123]

Hey Over40pirate,
I don't know where you are but if you are in the US and near a big city try Metal Supermarkets. The sell all types of metals(tubing, flat bar, bar stock, etc.) to the public in small quantities and will cut to your sizes. I think they will ship to you also.

[ude123]

Here is the link to their site: Metal Supermarkets

[Benjamaphone]

I can also say that metal supermarkets is a good choice for small orders.

[over40pirate]

Is $250 considered a good price for 6- 1/4" x 4" x 6" 316 ss plates?
Got that price from Metal supermarkets. Seems a tad high to me.

[FrankZ]

I used Metal Express - Home to purchase some SS. It does help they have a local office I could use. They even cut out a piece for my template (I had to buy the whole piece then they cut it for no extra charge) As it was on their scrap heap to start with the cost was surprisingly low.

[knottybuoyz]

Originally Posted by over40pirate

Is $250 considered a good price for 6- 1/4" x 4" x 6" 316 ss plates?
Got that price from Metal supermarkets. Seems a tad high to me.

L x W x D times units? So is that 4" X 6" x 1/4" ea 6?

For the plate and cut to that size it's probably right. Did you see any 6" flatbar? Might be cheaper. Do you really need 1/4" thick?

[over40pirate]

Thanks, FrankZ They quoted $105 for the plates. A little better price than $250!

[Sunspot Baby]

Boracay said "They cut them from a large plate using a guillotine."

I think the machine is called a shear. It would only be a guillotine if you stick your head in it.

George

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Sunspot Baby

Boracay said "They cut them from a large plate using a guillotine."
I think the machine is called a shear. It would only be a guillotine if you stick your head in it.
George

Tell that to Haco, Accucutter, and many others:
HACO Canada - Hydraulic Guillotine Shear
http://www.accucutter.com/index.html

[Sunspot Baby]

Gord, notice your links all call them shears. Guillotine is one type of shear but if you go in any metal fab shop, at least in any of the 100s I spent my life in, the generic term is shear. Go to a used machinery site (Used Machinery at Locator Online: Used Machine Tools, Used CNC Machines, Used Metal Fabricating Machinery is one) look under G. You will be lucky to find even on under guillotine. Look under S and find long lists of shears.

Go into a shop and ask to see their guillotine and you will either get blank looks or a few chuckles.

George

[bob kingsland]

1/4" stainless is pretty stout for a backing plate in that size range... 3/16" is probably more than strong enough. 4" flat bar from McMaster Carr, cut with a chop saw or even a hacksaw, is probably the cheapest way to get it, unless you have access to a metal shop that doesn't mind dealing with small stuff. 304 is ok inside the boat... it may discolor some, but it won't rust away. IMHO, 316 is the only thing to use on the exterior, including fasteners... anything else will discolor or lightly rust, unless it's been passivated and electro polished, and even then 304 is suspect. 304 is slightly stronger than 316, so you might use it for hidden fasteners like winch bolts, but if it's exposed and going to be seen, you'll be happier with 316. All kinds of fasteners in both types of stainless (304 and 316) are available next day from McMaster Carr.
Best, Bob S/V Restless

[Benjamaphone]

Originally Posted by bob kingsland

you might use it for hidden fasteners like winch bolts, but if it's exposed and going to be seen, you'll be happier with 316.

I also think that if you ever plan on removing the nuts/bolts, you should go with 316, not 304, and a good corrosion blocker.

And I still think that Almag-35 is the superior material for backing plates, IMhumbleO.