Cutting stainless steel

[Altaiziosmond]

Okay, so I've started a project I've been wanting to do for a while, but ever since finals started, I've never gotten to do it. Now that they're done, I've started, but I've hit a bit of a patch.

I need to cut a 1/16th of an inch Stainless Steel corked-back ruler, but I've already scraped off the cork with a putty knife (that was fun.) I've bought about five, since they were like $1.99 each, at my local school store. The website says $3.30, but I guess the price varies. I also bought a '12 ruler, so. All I need to do now is sharpen it to a slightly fine point, and then I can get on with my project, BUT since I've looked at pretty much everything for cutting stainless steel, Most of the things I've found either broke when I started sawing/cutting, bent the actual steel when it cut through it, or were seriously expensive.

A picture of the ruler is here.

I figure that since there are a lot of people on Gaia who actually know what they're doing, they can give me pointers, and help me find something to cut with a bit of quality that won't make me homeless and penniless.

[Gharbad]

A decent saw is the simplest and cheapest option... however more important than the saw itself is going to be the rig you use to hold it. You need the ruler well supported and immobile.

Other options include grinders, torches, scissors, other heavy machinery, lasers...

[Altaiziosmond]

Gharbad

A decent saw is the simplest and cheapest option... however more important than the saw itself is going to be the rig you use to hold it. You need the ruler well supported and immobile.

Other options include grinders, torches, scissors, other heavy machinery, lasers...

I figure my parents wouldn't exactly like a Waterjet cutter in our backyard, much less how much it costs.

I tried using a plasma cutter, but it melted the steel and bent it, not to mention almost short-circuiting our house. That was a bad idea.

Cookie cutters I guess worked the best, but it wasn't really even. I tried to touch it up with a jigsaw, but it didn't work that well.

I haven't yet used the angle grinder, but my hopes are for it. It seems the best to work.

[Suicidesoldier#1]

A pair of scissors might work, worked for me but it ended up all jagged; tough to smooth out and getting all the microbends out the steel can be impossible.

So a saw is the way to go on some kind of secure mounting rigger; clamps work well, and tracing what you want to cut of course. 3nodding

[chainmailleman]

If you want a clean cut, your going to have to pay for it in money or elbow grease. A hack saw is your cheapest and user friendly option (24-30 T) next to a more expensive pair of "tin snips" (actually you want a specific shear called the WISS M5. It's about 15-20 bucks at Home Depot and will cut anything. I use them for chainmaille and the wire I use is thicker than your ruler).

[Altaiziosmond]

chainmailleman

If you want a clean cut, your going to have to pay for it in money or elbow grease. A hack saw is your cheapest and user friendly option (24-30 T) next to a more expensive pair of "tin snips" (actually you want a specific shear called the WISS M5. It's about 15-20 bucks at Home Depot and will cut anything. I use them for chainmaille and the wire I use is thicker than your ruler).

Huh...that works.
Thanks.

[Totenkopf Soldat]

I cut stainless steel 16 gauge tube with a fine toothed hacksaw. Put the ruler in a vise and cut as close to the vice jaws as possible. It should come out quite clean, if not emery cloth will clean it up.

[Altaiziosmond]

Totenkopf Soldat

I cut stainless steel 16 gauge tube with a fine toothed hacksaw. Put the ruler in a vise and cut as close to the vice jaws as possible. It should come out quite clean, if not emery cloth will clean it up.

Emery cloth. Hmm.

[Haibane13]

The problem with the term "stainless-steal" is that it is very non-descriptive;

coldsteel.com

"The words "stainless steel" are misleading, because, in fact, all steel will stain or show discoloration if left in adverse conditions for a sufficient time. Steel is made "stainless" by adding Chromium and reducing its Carbon content during the smelting process. There is a serious performance trade-off with stainless steel. As the Chromium increases and the Carbon decreases, the steel becomes more "stainless". But, it also becomes more and more difficult to sharpen, and the edge-holding potential is seriously impaired. This is usually why most stainless knives are rarely razor-sharp and quickly lose what little edge they have."

Depending on the type of steel you are dealing with, different tools and methods are preferable. I personally prefer a titanium-alloy file, or a dremel-tool's file/sanding bits.
However, both these methods generate steel-filings, which should be collected and disposed of properly.
A dust-mask and safety-goggles should also be used at all times.

To disposed of the shavings/filings, use a shop-vac, bag them in their own bag, and throw them away in your dust-bin.

And an Emery cloth will do wonders.