If you're going to work with raw stainless steel materials, you'll want to make sure you have the right tools and supplies. These can include cutting implements, welding equipment and basic hand tools. Machining raw steel can be difficult for tools due to its superior strength. Often, metalworking tools are made of metal and coated with a finish that improves tool strength and toughness, making it easier to work with steel.

Whether you're altering an item made of stainless steel or creating something from stainless steel sheets, you'll need the correct tools to get your job done. The strength your tools will need to be depends on what grade the metal is and how thick the stainless steel raw material is.

1. Stainless steel fabrication tools tend to be more expensive than wood-working tools or other types of tools because they must be stronger.

2. When using welding equipment and other supplies for stainless steel raw materials, always follow all recommended safety precautions.

3. Drills for cutting raw stainless steel should be coated with titanium so they are strong enough to handle the job.

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Get the right cutting tools for raw stainless steel

Saws and other blades used to cut raw steel must generally be coated with a diamond-like coating or other hardener to be useful. This allows the blade to cut though stainless steel, but it's also more expensive. After repeated uses, the coating may wear away along the blade, leaving the softer inside metal exposed. This can impair cutting, so reapplying the tool's coating periodically is a must.

I recommend: Check out coated cutting tools from ISCAR, or read more about cutting metal at GardenWeb's metalworking forums.

Use welding equipment to attach and bend raw steel

You'll need welding equipment if you plan to mold or attach raw steel pieces together. This type of equipment usually includes welding gloves, apron and hood, along with a blowtorch and assorted accessories. Depending on the type of welding you wish to do, you may need a gas supply or an electrical power source. Lasers can also be used to weld metal quickly and efficiently for high-volume operations.

I recommend: Get welding supplies from the WeldingDepot, or learn how to weld from HowToWeld.net.

Buy a drill to make holes in raw material for stainless steel

Drilling raw stainless steel materials requires a carbide or titanium-coated drill bit, along with a center punch to make the initial indentation. These tools are generally more expensive than traditional drill bits because of their special coatings. Often, cutting metals like raw steel or stainless steel requires lubrication to prevent overheating and scorch marks.

I recommend: Buy a carbide drill bit from AceTool, or learn more about the different types of drill bits from Handyman Magazine.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you're having trouble cutting, drilling or welding raw stainless steel, try asking your stainless steel provider what they use. Often, they can recommend the best tools to get the job done, allowing you to focus on what's important: building your project.

One of the more practical materials for most businesses available nowadays is raw stainless steel. From chefs to carpenters, just about every trade and industry relies on stainless steel for its durability, easy maintenance and sleek appeal. It doesn't rust, cleans and sharpens easily and is cost effective.

When your business gets to the point that you find yourself needing new facilities or custom equipment, you may find that there is not an existing stainless steel product that suits your exact needs. At this point you should consider purchasing either raw stainless steel, or searching out custom stainless steel fabrication. There are several ways to go about this:

1. For kitchens and industrial needs, work with stainless steel fabricators.

2. If you are in the manufacturing industry, consider purchasing raw material stainless steel and the tools necessary to work with it.

3. Check trade directories to see which stainless steel distributors can best help you.

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Get stainless steel fabrication to meet your exact needs

Stainless steel fabricators work to provide you with metal parts to suit your industrial and kitchen needs. Whether it's something as basic as cutting raw stainless steel sheets to specification, or designing a custom solution, professional stainless steel producers are the first place to go for your business needs.

I recommend: If you need a high quality, professional kitchen, then go with Venus Fabrication, Inc. They will build to your design specifications, and even help you flesh out a rough idea. For industrial applications, get in touch with Stainless Steel Fabricators.

Purchase raw stainless steel materials and tools

For those in the machining business, you may find that you need raw stainless steel to work with, as well as the materials and tools to work with the components of raw steel. Whether you need basic stainless steel sheets, or tools for producing raw stainless steel, there are several trade organizations that can help you.

I recommend: EC Plaza Network, Inc. has a directory of stainless steel raw materials available, as well as a wide selection of products made from raw steel. To purchase directly from a stainless steel provider, consider ATI Allegheny Ludlum Corporation. However, to ensure you're getting the best stainless steel raw material prices, first check with MEPS, LTD.

Find stainless steel distributors online

One of the best ways to quickly compare information on stainless steel producers is to check with a trade directory. Quickly compare relevant information on stainless steel companies, with a minimal amount of hassle.

I recommend: About.com has an alphabetized listing of stainless steel makers, which makes for quick browsing. Thomas Publishing Company has a similar service, with the added benefit of letting you eliminate unwanted results from the listing.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To avoid excessive shipping costs, look for someone who provides raw material stainless steel in an area near you. However, if you demand a high degree of precision, place quality above locality.

Stainless steel raw materials are used in many different stainless steel products. Steel raw material usually comes in the form of scrap, stainless steel sheets or coils. After it passes through a fabrication plant, raw steel can be turned into a variety of home and commercial products, including stainless steel kitchenware, cutlery and stainless steel industrial tools.

All companies watch the market to get the best stainless steel raw material prices. Raw stainless steel information can be found through a variety of resources, depending on what end of the process you want to learn. Stainless steel raw materials education and training can cover topics such as:

1. How stainless steel fabricators turn scrap into product.

2. What skills a steel fabricator needs to learn.

3. The latest industry technology.

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Learn how stainless steel producers turn scrap into stainless steel

The most important knowledge about raw steel materials you can have is what you can do with it. The fabrication process for any type of steel maker is similar, but varies slightly depending on the complexity of the final product. Many manufacturers and online resources describe fabrication processes.

I recommend: How Products Are Made provides a detailed section on how stainless steel is made, from raw materials to final product. The American Foundry Society provides an extensive library that covers professional topics that range from steel alloys to different casting methods.

Train to work with stainless steel companies

Training to work in steel fabrication can be complex, but with ongoing training you can keep adding to your list of specialty skills. Most manufacturers and producers have training programs, but you can also get training for basic and advanced skills through steel organizations. These courses will certify you to use specific equipment and perform special tasks, such as welding.

I recommend: The International Stainless Steel Forum provides comprehensive training for those who want to work in steel fabrication. Courses range from an introduction to steel to various welding techniques. Cuyahoga Community College offers training and certification for those who want to weld and fabricate stainless steel.

Attend seminars and workshops to learn new skills from stainless steel makers

Seminars and workshops are great opportunities to get continuing education for stainless steel fabricators. These short educational sessions provide training for specialized skills that may not be available through your employer. Seminars can also teach you about the latest industry technology, which could put you ahead of the competition.

I recommend: The Ornamental Institute of New York provides a workshop on designing stainless steel products for those who want to find new uses for stainless steel. The Fabricator Network provides many seminars and workshops for learning new skills in stainless steel fabrication.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Even with competent training from outside sources, a stainless steel provider may still need to offer additional training to employees so they can learn about safety procedures in their particular workplace.

Rust may never sleep, but stainless steel never rusts. Even though stainless steel is more expensive than regular steel, it's still widely used in highly visible and/or harsh conditions because of a typically attractive finish and the ability to weather outdoor and marine environments. If you're considering buying stainless steel or some other alloy, it pays to learn some stainless steel raw materials key terms so you can choose wisely.

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Chromium (Cr)

Stainless steel, by definition, must have a chromium content of at least 11%. Chromium, which is a steel-grey hard metal that takes a polish well and has a high melting point, was discovered in 1797. Chromium has always been prized for its hardness and corrosion resistance.

I recommend: Learn more about chromium at WebElements.

Iron (Fe)

Iron is one of the world's most abundant metals and has been used by man for some 5,000 years. Before oxidation, iron is a silvery-grey color; after oxidation it becomes a brownish-red. Iron is the chief ingredient in all steels, including all types of stainless steels.

I recommend: Learn more about iron at Jefferson Lab.

Nickel (Ni)

Nickel is a hard, lustrous, magnetic, silvery-white metal that takes a polish well. It's often used in superalloys because of its corrosion resistance. Nickel also increases steel's heat and acid resistance. Nickel is used in austenitic stainless steel.

I recommend: Visit Los Alamos National Labs for more information on nickel.

Manganese (Mn)

Manganese is a hard, brittle, grey-white metal. Most of the manganese mined in the world is used to make steel. Manganese is often found alongside iron in nature.

I recommend: Go to the International Manganese Institute for more information about manganese.

Silicon (Si)

Silicon makes up more than 25% of the earth's crust, making it the second most abundant element in the earth's crust after oxygen. It's better known for its use in semiconductors, but it's also required for the production of stainless steel.

I recommend: Visit the Radiochemistry Society for more information about silicon.

Carbon (C)

Carbon is a nonmetallic element used in small amounts in the production of stainless steel. Even in so-called high carbon stainless steel, the carbon content is only 1.2%.

I recommend: Learn more about carbon in stainless steel at wiseGEEK.