410 vs 416

[Karl B. Andersen]

I know you didn't mean any offense, Ed.
But when I see anybody bad mouth 303, I jump up.
It's fantastic accessory material.
I never mirror polish anything unless it's gonna get hot blued anyway.
Jim, I would think Fastenal should be able to order you some 1/8" round rod pretty easily.

[DougCampbell]

Sorry had to go feed. It doesn't have anything to do with the main topic of 410/416 but except for 303 the 300 series stainless steels were never intended for machining. 304, 316 and so on was designed to be a non-hardening, weldable quality, corrosion resistant steel. Fittings can be machined from 303 and welded In place with a suitable filler material without loosing the desired qualities. I've welded literally tons of of this stuff and for it's intended purpose it's great stuff. OK now go back to poking Karl...

[boatbuilder]

Thanks Karl. We have a fastenal here in town.
Jim

[AAK]

I have about 3 feet of 1/4"x1 1/2" 304 that I got for free from a friend who owns a machining shop. Is it completely useless? I am currently using it for a pair of bolsters but should I scrap them and get some 416 or 303?

[Woodchuck Forge]

I like 303 also but it is getting expensive just like 416, though 416 in flat bar is ridiculous. It works really well and will polish out just fine, but like Karl, I do not polish fittings. I have been using the 303 for over 15 years now but since it was a bit difficult at times to find I moved to other material. I got a great deal on some 416 round and when I run out of the flat bar I gave my left kidney for I will forge out a bunch.

304ss can be used and I have in the past. I will not use it again. The polished over scratches like Ed described is from taking a short cut to the buffer. I do not use one and finish everything by hand so once you get used to doing it it becomes second nature. BUT with that said 304 is not a good material to use. It eats belts and discs like the morning oatmeal and takes 3-4 times longer to do proper finish. Can it ibe used? yes. Is it fun to use? Not only NO but @#$# NO.