how is 304 SS for polishing?
- Thread starter Smallshop
- Start date
EdCaffreyMS
"The Montana Bladesmith"
Any of the 300 series stainless are a major pain in the back side to polish. It will have to be sanded with each successive grit to a super fine (1500-2000 grit) finish.....then it will take 2-3 different buffing steps to polish.
Personally, it's not worth the effort it takes for me, and we in the ABS tend to warn potential JS testers off from using it.....because it often causes failures. It's that difficult to polish or get an even finish on it.
There's a reason that most MS will push 416, and even better.... Nickel Silver. Yes, both are significantly more expensive then 300 series stainless, but most feel it's worth the extra $$, because of how much nicer/easier it works and polishes.
Personally, it's not worth the effort it takes for me, and we in the ABS tend to warn potential JS testers off from using it.....because it often causes failures. It's that difficult to polish or get an even finish on it.
There's a reason that most MS will push 416, and even better.... Nickel Silver. Yes, both are significantly more expensive then 300 series stainless, but most feel it's worth the extra $$, because of how much nicer/easier it works and polishes.