Tools for bending / cutting stainless sheet?

[Drm31078]

I am very much a noob when it comes to metal working. However, I am interested in knowing what tools it would take to make something like this out of stainless steel on a budget?



*Looking for an itemized ltool list with price estimates and / or links to places where I can purchase them.

*Also looking for recommendations on the type and thickness of stainless I should work with.

I am not looking for full on production type tools (yet), but just something to get me started in that direction. Homemade tools are okay as well.

[pro mod steve]

sheet metal hand shears and hand files for the radius.

[QuesoDelDiablo]

Or cobalt 135* drill bits (hss would work too but wouldn't last long) for the radii, hand shears/files/hacksaws for cutting and flat blade pliers or a decent bench vise with soft jaws for bending.

For thickness, try .032" (about 21-22ga) or .040" (about 19-20ga) for heavier duty stuff or something 24-28ga for cosmetic applications.

304 stainless or whatever your local supplier carries is fine, I wouldn't worry too much about grade on rc stuff.

You'll have to figure out where to buy stuff on your own though..


Stainless can be pretty challenging to work with, especially if you're inexperienced. Have you considered aluminium?

[GraniteBandit]

Forget stainless. Try alum sheet first and surf around Harbor Freight for sheetmetal tools.

[Gula]

Cutting: https://www.zoro.com/wiss-hvac-aviat...Q&gclsrc=aw.ds

Bending: https://www.zoro.com/malco-folding-t...Q&gclsrc=aw.ds

I'd start your templates out of paper !

[C*H*U*D]

If you want to get started cheap, grab a set of nibblers. If you end up doing sheet metal, you'll want them eventually anyways and they come in handy for a lot of things.



For bending, grab a set of these:

Bending Sheet metal - Vise mount brake

With practice, you should be able to get a few things made. Good luck.