Source for 3" SS Mandrel Bends?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 633
Likes: 1
From: Hamilton, ON, Canada
304SS and carbon steel mandrel bends are fairly easy to find. It seems that 409 is harder to bend and/or there's little demand for it so 409SS is very hard to find. Stainless Works handles only 304SS but I'll give them a call.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 633
Likes: 1
From: Hamilton, ON, Canada
I've never tried to polish 409SS but I'd say it won't shine like 304SS. The mirror-finish parts that are around are 304SS. 409SS is the material used by the OEM's. It's not as corrosion resistant as 304 and will discolour but it has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion and is less prone to cracking. I'm not concerned about appearance, in fact, I don't want any shiny stuff under the car.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by 75 Hot One
304SS and carbon steel mandrel bends are fairly easy to find. It seems that 409 is harder to bend and/or there's little demand for it so 409SS is very hard to find. Stainless Works handles only 304SS but I'll give them a call.
No way 409 stainless can be polished to look like 304.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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Burns Stainless has the largest selection of bends, collectors, transitions, etc. Expect to pay high dollar. If your parts are cracking with 304, they are going to crack with 409. You may need to engineer your design to accomodate expansion. Also note that stainless should be " back gassed " while welding, this is critical. Burns sells a material called "Solar Flux" which can be used as an alternative to " Back Gassing ".