Chaps,

One of our clients has asked us to find out about feasibility (easy) and costing for a piece of artwork.

It's going to be made of stainless steel bar/rod using 6 to 8 thicknesses from 1/8" to 2". We need to be able to bend in a random fashion (I appreciate we will need heat!). I'm thinking for over an inch we may need to use tube, and fill with sand etc etc.

Piece will be about 12' tall. Sculptor has done a similar pice in ally that was about 4' high and used over 400m of ally. I'm reckoning on between 400 to 2500m of stainless - will get better idea later.

Piece will be outside, and must retain shiny(ish) finish for a very long time.

Questions are, what recommeded stainless grade, how to remove "blueing" after heating, names of suppliers for these quantities and anything other comments/things you may think of

Cheers chaps

ATB

Simon

http://buystainless.co.uk/index.htm

they seem very experienced.

Blueing can be removed using a pickling paste see here

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=52960

Try Angell Welding in New Addington as they have built some serious kit.
They have done stuff for Bernie Ecclestone, F1 teams and catering vans.
They will be able to build or supply you with what you want.
They come recommended by me as I have worked for them and their welding is second to none.
That's a lot of "They's" !

If you do use them, tell them that Martin Bickell recommended them to you.



[Edited on 4/12/2006 by nitram38]

We specialise in Stainless 316. We can bend 3mm to 40mm solid to 90 deg on our press, can form tube too. If your interested.


Can do lesser grades of stainless to, and mild steel/any non ferous etc

[Edited on 5/12/06 by welderman]

Be warned that getting a lasting shiny finish on fabricated stainless parts for outdoor use is not easy, unless you electropolish the finished article.

In spite of the "stainless" name carbon contaminants left on the steel during transport and fabrication, or just from industrial fallout will quickly show up as rust discolouration.

I will mail you a bit more on this.

Reagrds

Fred W B

[Edited on 5/12/06 by Fred W B]

Cheers chaps (Fred, thanks - very informative, have replied directly).

Just trying to guesstimate quantities at the moment - it's gonna be quite a lot

ATB

Simon