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Polishing type 304 tubing

2002

Attempting to manufacture a 90 degree tubing elbow with a flange welded to one end. Looking at using a type 304 stainless. I would like to achieve a mirror/chrome like finish.

1. Would I be best off starting with parts at a high polish finish, then cleaning up the weld as needed? Or welding flange and then polishing complete part.

2. What would be the most cost effective polishing method. Is there anything I can perform in-house at a reasonable expense?

Thanks for any direction you can give.

Coleman Retzlaff
- Mt. Horeb, WI

Outsource the part! Life is too short to reinvent wheels all the time. If you have thousands of these to do, call me and I will tell you who to contact to begin the learning process.

Dan Weaver
- Toccoa, Georgia
2002

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I suggest you complete your fabrication first then finish. Volume will determine the best way to finish. Belt systems work well with small volume and mass finishing may require a 2 step process, but will be more cost effective with high volume as long as ID does not have to be worked.

AF Kenton
retired business owner - Hatboro, Pennsylvania
2002

If you are a jobbing shop, and plan to finish by hand, it is my experience that starting with materials as near as possible to the intended finish is the most cost-effective and that electropolishing actually degrades the final appearance because the weld area shows up, clearly defined as a much duller finish.

Mick Elmes
- Howick, Auckland, New Zealand
2002

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Mick,

My suggestion would be to get the parts finished as close to what you need the have the parts electropolish to put the best mirror finsh on the parts.

Chris Snyder
plater - Charlotte, North Carolina
2003

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Coleman,
If you are talking in thousands then get it done overseas. We can mirror polished OD and ID Of elbows to #800 grit.
Mike

Michael Liu Taylor
specialty stainless steel distributor - Dallas, Texas
2003