09-21-2014, 09:28 AM
(09-21-2014, 09:22 AM)PixMan Wrote: Ed,
You should be able to tell if it's the easy to machine 303 vs. a tougher 304 or 316 by taking a cut on it. If it breaks chips easily, 303. If it doesn't but leaves a beautiful finish, likely 316. If it doesn't break chips, looks rough and destroys your cutting tool, probably 304.
I've looked at the drawings for the shafts that we get machined for us and the drawings mostly specify "300 series SS" with a few of them specifying a specific SS. I think it's mostly 303. At least the shafts I've machined behave like your description of the 303. It machines fairly easily but with an OK finish. Certainly not beautiful but not too rough either. Thanks for the tips Ken. (smilie)
Ed