FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Stainless steel cutting and welding.

ahneedhelp | Posted in Tools for Home Building on July 1, 2002 04:51am

Hello –

I am interested in learning the trade and did a search here on topics on stainless steel fabrication and tools.
Also searched the web on welders, cutters, etc.
Countertops and backsplashes with rolled edges and welded seams is what I would like to fabricate. Also would like to under mount the sinks seamlessly

Couple questions have come up.

-Where do folks get started in learning this stuff ?
Sweep the floor in a fabrication shop ?

-I always thought Tig welders is what’s needed for stainless.
Some folks mention Mig welders.
What’s the scoop on this ?

-Several folks mention plasma cutters as the best way to go.
There seems to be portable 120 and 220-v models.
For cutting straight lines, there are also guides.
And then there are CNC cutters, well beyond my dreams.
How difficult would it be to cut a straight line on location instead of in an industrial shop ?

-Is it beyond the scope of job site tools to fabricate a countertop/back splash ? Would a sheet metal break handle stainless steel sheets ?
(16 gauge or thicker 300-series).
I can live without the rounded front and stick with 90-degree angles.

To start a list of tools, I have come up with;
Welder, Cutter, Gridner, power shears (maybe ?), suited for the task of working with stainless steel sheets.
The welder and cutter would be a minimum of $3,000.
There’s probably a dozen more handy tools that’s needed.

Thanks for your help,

Alan

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. User avater
    jhausch | Jul 02, 2002 01:29am | #1

    I have been told that the plasma cutters are a dream on SS.  Something about the worse a metal conducts heat the better the plasma torch cuts.  Also, templates and straight edges are easy to use in conjunction with the torch.

    Another source of SS fab expertise is Commercial Kitchen Hood mfgs.

    Try your local community college?

    Good Luck

    Steelkilt Lives!
    1. ahneedhelp | Jul 02, 2002 03:37am | #2

      Local community college offers a class on welding but I don't they get into stainless steel.

      I should give them a call to make sure.

      1. donpapenburg | Jul 02, 2002 04:07am | #3

        I think that you would like the tig for welding SS In fact sometimes you won't need filler rod . The mig leaves a harder bead and in most cases will not penetrate as well as the tig . I like the tig better for SS and thin metal . The plasma is the way to go to cut SS . But try them out before you buy some do not cut as well .

        1. SlyCook | Jul 02, 2002 05:20am | #4

          View Image

          There are many, many welding schools. A friend studied at Lincoln and eventually obtained a management position in a multinational company.Helen

          1. Handydan | Jul 02, 2002 11:43am | #5

            Vocational/Technicl schools should be the first call.  If that doesnot help then should call sheetmetal union hall.  Then try welding supply stores for school suggestions.  Stainless is pretty tough, and any brake or shears will have to be large industrial style to be of much help.  TIG would be my choice for welding, and plasma for cutting, but I doubt that on site is going to work out very well.  Better start planning for a bigger shop, and lots of noise to irritate any neighbors.  Have fun learning it, it can be a lot of fun.

            Dan

  2. dw40 | Jul 17, 2002 09:02pm | #6

    Don't now if this thread is still active, but the trade school/community college route is the way to go. My buddy is an architectural metal fabricator who got into the trade via art school. He says he got better in one 2 month vo-tech course than he did in four years of art schoool metal sculpture class. There is a good deal of knowledge behind good welding, but most of it is touch and experience. MIG is easy to learn, I've been doing it for years and you can weld SS with the right setup, but Tig is the way to go. It is cleaner and you can more easily control the amount of heat going into the piece, which will be important when you are welding thin SS plate. Stainless distorts like crazy.

    One tip would be to learn your welding on regular old scrap steel, which is nearly free for the taking, then learn to weld regular steel plate, then go to stainless. No need to spend all that $$$ on testing.

    And its not so much that plasma cutting SS is a dream as that cutting it with anything else you can hold in your hand is a nightmare.

    If you are still out there, email me at [email protected] and I'll get you in contact with my friend, who would be happy to talk to you.

    Good luck.

    Don

  3. JohnSprung | Jul 17, 2002 09:21pm | #7

    One thing that makes most stainlesses different from other steels, and makes most machinists cuss at them, is that they work harden.  If you try to cut or drill it, it gets harder right where you're working.  If you bend it, it hardens at the bend, and you can't un-bend it like you can with other steels.  So you're right that stainless steel can be a specialty unto itself, and you'll probably make pretty good money if you get to be known as one of the very few who can produce good results with that miserable material.

    -- J.S.

  4. 1Woodtick | Aug 15, 2002 11:12am | #8

    If you want to learn s/s welding and fabrication, the only place to do it cheaply is a trade school.  Part of my business is custom aluminum and stainless steel fabrication for fishing boats and the fishing industry, or whoever.  if your looking for the pretty welds on thin material the only way to do it is with a TIG machine, a MIG is usally used for heavy gauge work, I usally weld up to 1/8" with a TIG.  And, if I don't need the prettys I will use a MIG machine down to 1/16"  Any other consideration with welding s/s is lots of practice. as far as a bending machine only the good benders are worth a hoot. and if you don't have the money for one then build one.  Mine is built out of 1/2" and 3/4" X6" flat bar welded to look like one of the cheap benders that are on the marketI bend up to 1/8" s/s and 1/4" aluminum. 

    As fo a plasma cutter don't stint and don't get something that is so small that it will cut only thin material.  Miller makes a portable that will cut 1/2" aluminum like its butter.  in fact you should get a Miller catolog. theres is about the easiest to read and understand. 220Volt is the best.  the 120 volts are ok but you can always cut smaller material with a big machine but you will never cut thicker with a smaller machine.  And, any work in s/s you need a plasma cutter.  Power shears won't last long cutting s/s.  First off is to get the training by the time you are half way thru the training you will then be able to make  good choices in your tools. 

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

A Classic Paint Sprayer Gets a Thoughtful Refresh

The Titan Impact X 440 offers great coverage with minimal overspray.

Featured Video

SawStop's Portable Tablesaw is Bigger and Better Than Before

The 10-in. Jobsite Saw PRO has a wider table, a new dust-control port, and a more versatile fence, along with the same reliable safety mechanism included in all SawStop tablesaws.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 693: Old-House Hazards, Building Larsen Trusses, AI in Construction
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Finding Hazardous Materials in a Fixer-Upper
  • A Classic Paint Sprayer Gets a Thoughtful Refresh
  • Podcast Episode 692: Introduction to Trade Work, Embodied Carbon, and Envelope Improvements

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data