A piece of stainless steel needed

[Simpo Two]

l have a little project which needs a rectangular piece of stainless steel (it will be outdoors).

It needs to be 350 long x 65mm wide x 3mm thick, with 10 holes for screws.

If any PHer with the suitable skills/kit could field this please let me know, and likely cost

(PS It is not part of a garden watering scheme!)

[Mr Pointy]

I suspect you are looking for the finished article but there are plenty of suppliers on ebay who will cut you a piece:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-0-MM-Brushed-Stainles...

[Simpo Two]

Thanks, yes, I'm looking for it ready to fit as I'm geared up for wood not metal.

[wilksy61]

I've got a piece but its only 2mm thick (well 1.9) if that any use, I can put the holes if you let me have the dimensions etc.

Where abouts in EA are you, I'm on the Essex/Suffolk border in Steeple Bumpstead

[227bhp]

You need to ask in your local section for an outlet, engineering shop, fabricator etc and go ask them.
metalsupermarkets.co spring to mind if there is one near you, but they won't drill it.

[Simpo Two]

wilksy61 said:

I've got a piece but its only 2mm thick (well 1.9) if that any use, I can put the holes if you let me have the dimensions etc.

Thanks very much but I don't think 1.9mm will be rigid enough, and for best results the holes would be countersunk so I think it's out.

[wilksy61]

You would be surprised how rigid 2mm stainless steel is unless of course the hole sizes are large.

[Simpo Two]

wilksy61 said:

You would be surprised how rigid 2mm stainless steel is unless of course the hole sizes are large.

4.5mm, enough for size 8 screws.

It's to reinforce the front slat of a garden bench that's split diagonally - so people will be sitting on the join. What do you think?

(PS no I can't replace the wood)

[227bhp]

Oh god please no, the bodged up bench reaches episode 39

[wilksy61]

If I were making this type of fix I would use two pieces of stainless and bolt through the bench rather than rely on a single piece held on with wood screws, but probably I would buy/make another bench

[Simpo Two]

227bhp said:

Oh god please no, the bodged up bench reaches episode 39

I wasn't going to mention the B word but he made me...

We'll call this bench Barry Sheene

wilksy61 said:

If I were making this type of fix I would use two pieces of stainless and bolt through the bench rather than rely on a single piece held on with wood screws...

Sound, but s/s on top would look silly.

Reckon 1.9mm underneath is up to it?

[jeremyc]

Simpo Two said:

It's to reinforce the front slat of a garden bench that's split diagonally - so people will be sitting on the join. What do you think?

(PS no I can't replace the wood)

Are you not able to use your woodworking skillz to cut and join the slat (with a dovetail joint or similar), reinforcing it with a dowel through it?

[227bhp]

Simpo Two said:

227bhp said:

Oh god please no, the bodged up bench reaches episode 39

I wasn't going to mention the B word but he made me...

We'll call this bench Barry Sheene

I know I know. Triggers broom maybe too.
Just don't ever, ever post a pic of it. I think I would blow a gasket.

[Simpo Two]

jeremyc said:

Are you not able to use your woodworking skillz to cut and join the slat (with a dovetail joint or similar), reinforcing it with a dowel through it?

An interesting idea but I don't want a new section of wood in there as it will look obvious, and more joints will make it weaker. The split is long and diagonal; another way would be long screws in from the front, but they would show.

Nope, I'm holding out for 3mm s/s plate unless wilksy thinks 1.9mm will do it

Edited by Simpo Two on Friday 21st September 16:45

[21TonyK]

All I can add is keep looking for someone to cut and drill it for you. Cost me £60 in countersinks to drill and countersink 20 holes in 3mm stainless.

[Mr Pointy]

Do the holes have to be countersunk? If the stainless was on the underside of the wood then pan heads screws might be ok.

[Simpo Two]

21TonyK said:

All I can add is keep looking for someone to cut and drill it for you. Cost me £60 in countersinks to drill and countersink 20 holes in 3mm stainless.

Glad it's not just me, metal wrecks everything I try!

Mr Pointy said:

Do the holes have to be countersunk? If the stainless was on the underside of the wood then pan heads screws might be ok.

I guess so, if countersinking is so difficult. I just want it to be a neat as possible.

In fact mild steel with some kind of anti-rust finish would do, and be much easier.

[biggiles]

Do you really need stainless?

Plenty of already-fabricated galvanised strips around e.g. https://www.toolstation.com/shop/Construction+Mate...

Otherwise, use a router to cut a channel in the underside and insert some galvanised/stainless tubing/rod with epoxy, much like strengthening a shelf?

[21TonyK]

Simpo Two said:

21TonyK said:

All I can add is keep looking for someone to cut and drill it for you. Cost me £60 in countersinks to drill and countersink 20 holes in 3mm stainless.

Glad it's not just me, metal wrecks everything I try!

Mr Pointy said:

Do the holes have to be countersunk? If the stainless was on the underside of the wood then pan heads screws might be ok.

I guess so, if countersinking is so difficult. I just want it to be a neat as possible.

In fact mild steel with some kind of anti-rust finish would do, and be much easier.

I'd be looking to run a steel the full length of the timber, more fixings the better and spread the load rather than concentrated on the repair. Plenty of cheap mild steel in B&Q which you could drill very easily, then use pan heads as suggested. Few coats of hammerite and job done.

[Mr Pointy]

Here's another Toolstation item:
https://www.toolstation.com/shop/Construction+Mate...
Galvanised & 1000mm long so should spread the load.